Crash kills Campton Hills activist

A Campton Hills man who spent his free time immersed in local politics died Sunday in a motorcycle crash that police say might have been alcohol-related.

William F. Brown, 47, was driving west on the 2900 block of West Main Street in St. Charles about 7:20 p.m. when he lost control of his 1998 Harley-Davidson and crashed, police said. Brown and his wife Kimberly, 45, were thrown from the vehicle.

William Brown was pronounced dead a short time later at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva. His wife was treated for minor injuries and released.

St. Charles police spokesman Paul McCurtain said alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in the crash, which remained under investigation Monday. Neither rider wore a helmet, he said.

Brown, a technician for AT&T who moved to the area from Colorado several years ago, was among the most vocal critics of Campton Hills' controversial incorporation in May 2007.

Last spring, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the village board along with several other candidates who vowed to dissolve the municipality if elected. Most recently, Brown had focused his political efforts on campaigning in support of a referendum to reverse the incorporation. He was a regular face at village board meetings, where he often spoke out about local issues.

"He was the kind of guy you want to have on your side," said dissolution proponent Chris Baldwin, who met Brown about a year ago when he decided to run for office. "He knew what the issues were and he articulated them well. He kept us on task."

Campton Hills Village President Patsy Smith, whose own spouse died as a result of a car crash two years ago, offered condolences to the Brown family but said it wouldn't be appropriate to comment on his interaction with the village.

In addition to his wife, Brown leaves behind three daughters and a son. He was killed almost a year to the day after Carmine Julian, another outspoken incorporation opponent, died of a heart attack while making wildlife videos downstate.

Ken Kolar, a close friend, said Brown enjoyed fishing, watching football and riding motorcycles. He was a natural handyman when it came to working on cars and home improvement projects.

"Whenever you needed him, he would be there with his tool bag and would help you on any project," Kolar said. "He was just a tremendous friend to a lot of people. He's going to be missed by a lot of dear friends."