Longtime Dayton architect Paul P. Brown dead at 85

DAYTON — Paul P. Brown, an activist in Dayton’s aviation heritage community who founded the Dayton architecture firm now known as Brown and Bills Architects, has died. He was 85.

Brown founded Brown and Head Architects in 1954 with partner John W. Head. It continues today under principals David Bills and Stephen Brown, who is Paul Brown’s son.

Paul Brown also was a founder of Aviation Trail Inc., a Dayton-based volunteer group of aviation preservation enthusiasts. He served on the board and the nominating committee of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, located at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Brown’s community positions included service as president of the Engineers Club of Dayton and of the Dayton chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He also served as a trustee of Harrison Twp., where he had lived.

He died Friday at Brookhaven Retirement Community in Brookville.

A funeral service is scheduled at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, at Shiloh Church, 5300 Philadelphia Dr. The Rev. Dick Van Tine will lead the service. The Brown family is to receive friends at a reception in the church, following the service.

Survivors include his wife, Doris; three sons and daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren.