William James Brooks departed this life on Sunday, January 17, 2016, at Holy Rosary Healthcare Hospital, Miles City, Montana. He had a passion for life and was a people–person. He enjoyed entertaining and spending time with family and friends, cooking, playing cards and board games, traveling, and hanging out at the VFW and Elks Club in Glasgow, Montana, where he lived until his health began to fail. He was also an outdoorsman and loved fishing and hunting. He resided at the Veterans Montana Health Care System, Community Living Center, Miles City, Montana, since November 2013.
Bill, as he was called, was born in Sardis, Mississippi, on March 24, 1927, to the late Will Bland and Lela Howard Bland. He was predeceased by his only sibling, Catherine Payne and wife, Gisela Gentry Brooks.
He grew up in Millington, Tennessee and accepted Christ at an early age at the West Canaan Baptist Church. He was a faithful member throughout his early childhood and young adult years. He left Millington in 1950, joined the United States Air Force, and retired in 1977. Upon retirement from the United States Air Force, he embarked on another career with the US Postal Service, retiring from there in 1991.
Bill was a wonderful father, grandfather, relative, and friend. He was loved and highly regarded and will be greatly missed. He leaves to mourn his passing, his sons, Willie Brooks (Roberta) of Lanham, Maryland and Gregory Brooks of California; three grandchildren, Jamie Brooks (Glenda) of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Raina Branch of Lanham, Maryland, and Renita Farrington (Torrance) of Bowie, Maryland; eight great-grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends.
We would like to thank the doctors, nurses, staff and residents of the Veterans Montana Health Care System, Community Living Center, Miles City, Montana, for the excellent care, and other kindred deeds you provided to our Father/Grandfather throughout his residency. Again, thank you very much.
And, we would also like to thank the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and ICU team at Holy Rosary Healthcare Hospital, Miles City, Montana, for the specialized medical care, hospitality, and excellent communications you provided when his health care needs intensified. Thanks, also, to the Miles City, Montana Ambulatory Service.
May God forever bless you and keep you in His care. – The Brooks Family
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
II Timothy 4:7
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the VA Chapel in Miles City MT. Interment with full military honors will follow at Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
J Denson says
So enjoyed visiting with you and will always enjoy the memory of taking you out to the fair to look for a wife! Thank you for serving our country Bill!
Kristie wagoner says
Billy had been a long time friend of our family he will be greatly missed. I think I was one of his last friends from glasgow who got to say good bye to him,it broke my heart to see him that way. I tried to go see him as often as I could and bring him homemade chocolate chip cookies. Boy did he love them in think he like getting them more than seeing me .lol I was just glad I was able to bring him some kind of happiness. You will be missed love to you
Alicia Hoyt says
Bill was a kind man and I enjoyed visiting with him. I wrote a speech for him one
Veterans Day as he was the guest speaker. He was forever grateful but it was my privilege that he even asked me. My son used to go fishing with him. My late husband John liked Bill a lot and enjoyed their chats at the VFW Post in Glasgow. God bless, Bill. Rest in peace. My condolences to the family.
Diane Matzen says
My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Bill while Arlen was at the Community Center. He always said hello to Arlen and ,I and he had a great sense of humor. He was a nice man. I’m glad I got to meet him.
Chris Plummer says
I will miss you my friend and I just know that sence of humor will bring many smiles up there buddy. RIP Bill Love you like a son!
Tammy Kautz says
Billy will be greatly missed. He was such a joy to be around. He always knew how to make me laugh, with some kind of joke… Clean or dirty. See you at the Island in the Sky.
Mae Francyne Payne Brooks says
You are truly missed. I remember in millington tn all the good time when you come home on leave to mama dearest (Catherine) and (Danice) daddy fox.Billy house and I would be so happy to see you. You were the best uncle I knew the only uncle. Sleep peaceful until we meet again. Your niece francyne payne-brooks