James William “Bill” Brooks, 80, of Laguna Hills, CA, passed away peacefully Friday, February 15, 2002 at his home in the embrace of his family. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, with a funeral service at 7 p.m. at the Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, IL (888-629-0094). Interment 11 a.m. on Friday, March 8, at Fairmont-Willow Hills Memorial Park. The family suggests memorial contributions to your local Hospice organization. Bill was born September 27, 1921 in Chicago, IL to the late Judge James W. Brooks and Florence, nee Donnelly. Bill was raised with his brothers, Thomas and Carroll, sisters, Mary, Alice and Florence. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard in the North Atlantic Theater during World War II and married Betty, nee Gillet, in April of 1945. Bill and Betty raised their family in Chicago’s South Shore area where they were well known and active members of the St. Philip Neri Parish and the former South Shore Country Club. They relocated to Olympia Fields, IL in 1970. Bill was a partner in the T.N. Donnelly Loan and Diamond Co. for 21 years prior to his pursuing a career in real estate sales and then as a banking representative for the Illinois State Department then headed by the late Honorable Mike J. Howlett. Bill retired due to a debilitating stroke in 1978 and in 1993 Bill and Betty moved to Southern California. Bill was always known and admired for his enormous charm, good humor, and gentlemanly presense. He will be missed by his many friends everywhere who will recall his entertaining stories and fellowship. He always enjoyed the company of friends and he knew no strangers. Despite losing his gift of speech twenty-four years ago his indomitable personality allowed him to continuously garner new friends. Bill never bowed to the challenges of his disabilities but rather displayed astonishing courage and determination to confidently live a principled life. He was preceded in death by Betty, his best friend and loving wife of 55 years. His sister-in-law Dorothy Schneider and brother-in-law Robert Schneider. He is survived by his daughter Carol and son-in-law Joel Brossard, of Western Springs, IL; granddaughter Kathryn. His son James William Brooks Jr. and daughter-in-law Cynthia, of Naperville, IL; grandchildren, Kristin, James William I, and Patrick Brooks. His son Robert of Overland Park, KS. His daughter Helen Brooks of Kalispell, MT; grandchildren, Dorothy and Joseph Drury. His devoted nieces, Peggy Ann Buchanan of Mountain View, CA, and Betsy Schneider Karp, of Hodgkins, IL, numerous other nieces and nephews. The family is deeply grateful to Ms. Cream Holiday of Laguna Hills, CA and her daughters Fatmeh and Sophia for the compassionate care and comfort that they so selflessly provided. Bill will be forever loved and remembered as a Loving Husband, Great Father, and Loyal Friend.
