William F. Britton II was born on May 10, 1964, in Brownwood, Texas, to the late William F. Britton Sr. and Betty J. Britton. He is the youngest of four children, with two siblings, Micheal J. Britton and Sheryl Clopton, preceding him in death, and one sister, Tina Hopson, who resides in California.

William began his education at Hardin Elementary and continued through Coggin and Woodland Heights before attending Brownwood Junior High and Brownwood High School, where he participated in football, basketball, and track during his freshman and sophomore years. He later moved to Dallas and graduated from Sunset High School in 1982.

For more than forty years following high school, William describes his life as “living on the wild side,” navigating many challenges and unexpected turns. During that time, he welcomed his son, William F. Britton III. In March 2013, he returned to Brownwood, where he reunited with Kimberly Randle. Their connection was immediate, and just 61 days later, they were married on May 11, 2013 — a union he joyfully describes as “heaven on earth.”

For over eleven years, William has been employed with Aldersgate Enrichment Center, where he currently serves as Road Crew Supervisor, working with adults with developmental disabilities. He credits this role as a divine assignment that softened his heart and deepened his compassion.

A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, William stands firmly on Jeremiah 12:5, a scripture that reminds him to remain strong and prepared for the greater challenges ahead. He is an active member of A Breath of Praise Community Church under the leadership of Pastor Eric Jordan, who has become both a mentor and a friend. William leads the “Men on a Mission” Fellowship Group, participates in community outreach, and serves wholeheartedly wherever he is needed. One of his greatest joys is the Burger Ministry, a time of teamwork, laughter, and meaningful fellowship.

When asked what he would change about his life, William answers confidently: “Not a thing.”

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This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month and Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) will be spotlighting amazing African Americans, who have made contributions to the community of Brownwood and Brown County.  Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) announced the second week of February to be “Negro History Week”. This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and that of Frederick Douglass on February 14, both of which Black communities had celebrated since the late 19th century

Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University first proposed Black History Month in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970.

Six years later, Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”