Owner of iconic Scottish bakery chain dies aged 87 as tributes paid to ‘true gentleman'

Scottish Sun

21-05-2025

Bill's nephew John took to social media to talk about the bakery owner's life
BELOVED BAKER Owner of iconic Scottish bakery chain dies aged 87 as tributes paid to 'true gentleman'
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TRIBUTES have been paid to the owner of an iconic Scottish bakery chain who died aged 87.
The family of Bill Browning, head of Brownings the Bakers based in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, announced last week that he passed away.
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Tributes have since flooded in for the bakery boss since the announcement of his death
Credit: Facebook
He was one of five children to Margaret and John Howie Browning who started the company back in 1945.
Bill worked for a few bakeries learning his trade, before joining the family business along with siblings Margaret and Matt.
This is when he spent many hours working and baking with his dad at the old bakery in Hurlford Cross.
In 1977 the bakery then moved to Galston Road in Hurlford.
Bill's nephew John took to social media to talk about the baker's life.
He continued: "This is when the company really started to be recognised with Bill passing all his great baking skills on to others, creating new and wonderful products to mostly sell in our own and many other shops throughout the Ayrshire area.
"His attention to detail making quality bakery products was second to none and a tradition the company has always used since then.
"In the Galston Road bakery, he grew his own large rhubarb patch and would often be found outside pulling it and making great tarts.
"He also went about many homes in Hurlford swapping rhubarb from the gardens in exchange for his delicious cakes.
"He had that sort of hunger and enthusiasm."
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He continued: "He won an award once for his delicious Eccles Cakes and never got fed up telling that story.
"He didn't have to use scales to weigh ingredients, as a handful of this and that always worked for him.
"Along with his brilliance at sugar rolls, Cumnock tarts, pies, rolls and many more it made the business what it is today with the company still using the same ethos.
"Our thoughts at this very sad time go to his immediate family."
He leaves son John Howie Browning Jnr, daughter Beth, grandchildren Blair, Emily and Billy, as well as three great grandchildren.
Following the announcement of his death on Facebook, many tributes flooded in for the beloved baker.
One person said: "Amazing man, a true gentleman. I had the pleasure of supplying potatoes for their tattie scones and fresh rhubarb when in season many years ago. Love to the family."
Another wrote: "Thoughts are with the family. A terrific man, one of a kind. Bill was a true and loyal lifelong friend."
A third commented: "A great guy, who made friends with everyone he had dealings with in the baking industry. He will be sadly missed."
And a fourth added: "A man full of character, he will be sadly missed."