John William Brewer's Obituary
John William Brewer died on October 27, 2021 in Lakeway, Texas at the age of 90. Born September 21, 1931 to Bernice Amber (Taylor) Brewer and Joseph Edgar Brewer in Fayetteville, Arkansas, John grew up in Northwest Arkansas and returned there in his retirement for most of the last 26 years of his life.
John graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1949 before joining the Arkansas National Guard and being deployed to Korea as a medic being assigned to the Bentonville unit. Upon his return from service John attended the University of Arkansas. Shortly thereafter a buddy from that Bentonville Guard unit introduced John to Nancy Lee Bingham who just a year later became his bride on April 3, 1954. Their marriage of over 67 years continues to serve as an inspiration to their sons and all who knew them.
John started working at Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company while still in college. In 1958 he joined Sears Roebuck working there until retiring in 1981 from his final position as real estate manager for an 11-state territory headquartered in Dallas, Texas. From there John spent several years as a shopping center developer and then FHA and VA real estate appraiser before “retiring” again to open Fern Hollow vacation cottages on Beaver Lake in 1990. John’s final retirement came with a move from the lake into town in Bentonville where he lived until June of 2021 when he and Nancy moved to Austin to be closer to their two children, four grandchildren and new great grandchild.
John was preceded in death by his son Joseph Bingham Brewer, his mother Bernice and father Joseph, his brother Joseph Edgar Brewer, Jr. and wife Carolyn as well as his sister Betty Lou (Brewer) Kelling and her husband Gene.
John is survived by his wife Nancy, son John II and wife Lisa, son Bob and wife Suzette, grandchildren Matthew Brewer and wife Abigail, Taylor Kay and husband Joseph Sambrano, Kylie and husband Joe Santamaria, and Kevin as well as great grandson Finnegan Ashby Brewer.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church of Bentonville. A private graveside will be held at Evergreen Cemetery.
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