William Earl Brooks Jr.

William Earl Brooks Jr., “Bill,” age 65, passed away at his home with his family by his side on Wednesday, August 6, 2014.  He was born in Racine on 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 photojournalist, as a house parent with foster children, as a consultant/manager with various companies, and 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 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 his 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;  greatnephew, Chase Sherman; greatniece, 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 on Wednesday, August 13, 2014, at 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 on Tuesday from 5-7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 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 homecare nurse, Tina;  the nurses and aides at Boland Hall; Pastors Victoria and Melanie; and the staff at Seasons Hospice for the loving and compassionate care given Bill.

Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home
803 Main St., Racine, WI  (262) 634-7888