William E. "Bill" Brooks Jr.

William Earl Brooks Jr., “Bill”, age 65, passed away at his home with his family by his side, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. He was born in Racine, January 24, 1949, son of the late William and Irene (Nee: Rogan) Brooks.

Bill graduated from high school in Manitowoc and subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served from 1968 – 1972 stationed in Vietnam. On September 27, 1975 at Covenant Presbyterian Church he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Jamie Orban. Bill had attended the University of Wisconsin and Wichita State University. Bill had many interests in his life. For many years he worked as photo journalist, as a house parent with foster children, as a consultant/manager with various companies, and had owned and operated bar/restaurant businesses. Bill also owned and operated the Professional Bartending School of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He enjoyed music and sang in Rock Bands in his younger years. He was an avid sportsman’s who enjoyed fishing, hunting, firearms, Nascar, and the Green Bay Packers. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, the NRA, the VFW, and the American Legion. Above all he was a devoted husband, brother, and friend who will be dearly missed.

Surviving are is loving wife of 38 years, Jamie; siblings, David Brooks of Kenosha, Patricia (Louis) Arata of Whitefish Bay; nieces and nephews, Cristin Brooks, Carolyn (Erik) Sherman, Elizabeth (Brett) Christiansen, Jason Smith; great nephew, Chase Sherman; great niece, Lydia Christiansen; mother-in-law, Margaret Orban; sister-in-law Judy Smith; his four legged companion, Stuart Little; other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Frank Orban.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 13, 2014, 10:30 A.M. at the funeral home. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home Tuesday, 5-7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pattie for her loving care and support, to the caregivers and Jane and Trish the social workers at Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center, his home care nurse Tina, the nurses and aides at Boland Hall, Pastors Victoria and Melanie, and the staff at Seasons Hospice for their loving and compassionate care given Bill.