Bill Brown is remembered as a grateful and humble man.

On Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, William C. “Bill” Brown passed away in his home at the age of 89.

Brown, who was born July 27, 1927, in Brooklyn, N.Y., was the founder of Oklahoma City-based 7-Eleven Stores. Brown’s son, Jim Brown, is now the current CEO of 7-Eleven Stores, NewsOK reported.

In his life, Bill Brown served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and he also attended the University of Notre Dame, where he met his wife, Carol. NewsOK reported that Brown and later became a member of the Notre Dame’s business council.

Three years after their marriage, the Brown’s moved to Oklahoma City, where Brown later began 7-Eleven Stores and helped his wife to raise their eight children. NewsOK noted that 7-Eleven Stores is a separate entity, not affiliated with the Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc.

Brown has been quoted saying that it was his employees that made 7-Eleven stores successful, NewsOK reported.

Bill’s son, Jim, noted that Bill’s family and faith always came first. NewsOK reported that Bill Brown attended Christ the King Catholic Church. In 2014 Brown was awarded the Cross of Honor by Pope Francis, the highest medal that can be awarded by the Pope.