William Charles "Charlie" Brewer, age 83, of Manhattan, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 4, 2018 with family at his side. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Joan (nee Moseley); brother Lawrence of Louisiana; brother-in-law David Kiester of Joliet; nephew David Charles (Mary) Kiester of Manhattan; niece Kristine (R. Michael) Markley of Joliet; great nieces Sara (Dave) Papendorf and Susan (Kevin) Fiske; great nephew Brian (Alejandra) Kiester; great great nephews Gresham, Owen and Logan; great great niece Haddie; as well as several cousins and many friends. Preceded in death by his parents Frank and Martha Brewer; his step mother Grace Brewer; sister Martha Ann Kiester. Now what to say about this music man, Charlie Brewer. He arrived in Joliet in 1951 from Winona, Mississippi chasing work. He worked as an apprentice glazier but one evening picked up a guitar at a local pawn shop, strummed along with Hank Williams and Chet Atkins on the radio in the evenings. Charlie grew up a country and western music fan and it's what he knew. As fate would have it, he met another couple of guys that could play, and they formed a band called "The Country Cats". They played all around locally and some in neighboring states. Charlie once was quoted, "You play for the sheer love of it. Even when I was broke, I considered myself lucky. Country is the music of the land. It is something people can relate to. Our world has gotten so complicated, people need something uncomplicated to relate to." Charlie played for 15 years with that band until he met the love of his life, Joan. They married, and the rest of his journey called life was spent hand in hand with his best friend. He still remained active in the music world fixing, soldering, refinishing and even did some intricate inlay work at various music stores in the Joliet area. He would fix it then play it, he played every day. His passion was music, if he wasn't making it, he was fixing it. In addition, Charlie was heavily involved with the Manhattan Lions Club. He volunteered countless hours and made many friends through the Lions. He was also an active member for many years at St. Paul's United Church of Christ. He was a man who lost most of his eye sight but could still do anything. Charlie was a busy man but never too busy for his family. Charlie was a loving husband, brother, uncle and friend whose absence will always be felt by those that loved him. Visitation for William Charles Brewer will be Saturday, June 9, 2018, from 9:00 AM until the time funeral service at 12 Noon. Both visitation and funeral service will be at St. Paul's United Church of Christ. Pastor Carol Currier-Frighetto and Pastor Jim McGuire will officiate. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Charles's name to St Paul's United Church of Christ, 140 Thelma Street Manhattan, Illinois 60442 or to Will County Humane Society, 24109 W. Seil Rd, Shorewood, IL 60404. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. (Rt. 52) Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-791-8045, www.forsythegouldfh.com