William H. Brooks

William “Bill” Brooks, age 83, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, February 1, 2008, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa, following a lingering illness. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church in Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Carol Kress officiating. Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa. Friends may call from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home and after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Tuesday morning. There will be a VFW Memorial Service at the funeral home at 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening. William “Bill” Herbert Brooks was born on January 3, 1925, the son of William and Gladys (Huffman) Brooks, Sr. in Allamakee County. He attended first and second grade in Waukon schools. After his father died on Sept. 6, 1927, his mother moved the family to Decorah, where he attended school, until his senior year, when he was drafted into the US Army. He was inducted into the Army on July 27, 1943 and received his basic training at Camp Barkeley, TX. He was a technician for the 63rd portable Surgical Hospital. He was stationed in Osaka, Japan, Luzon in the Philippine Islands and San Fabian Island in the Lingayen Gulf and New Guene. He received an Honorable Discharge on February 11, 1946 and successfully completed the GED tests and received his High School diploma on June 28, 1946. He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church. Bill was united in marriage to Dorothy Brown on August 28, 1949 at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children: Bruce, Becky and Beth. Bill was employed as a mechanic at the Thompson Brothers Ford Garage in Decorah and later he worked as a salesman for 7-Up, until a back injury forced him to change jobs. He then was employed as a salesman for Ray’s Tobacco Co. and later for Farner Hewett Co. until he suffered a stroke and was forced to retire on May 25, 1986. In his earlier years, he enjoyed camping and canoeing with the family; bowling with the VFW team and always enjoyed playing cards. He was a lifetime member of the Helof Holm VFW Chapter #1977 and a member of the IOOF Lodge. Since his stroke, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching birds and watching TV, especially the Green Bay Packers and Walker, Texas Ranger. The highlight of his week was playing cards with friends who faithfully came in twice a week to play Euchre. Bill’s survivors include his wife, Dorothy Brooks, Decorah, IA. Two daughters: Becky (Roger) Halverson, Cresco, IA and Beth (Dana) Kirby, Whiting, IA. One daughter-in-law: Jackie Brooks, Las Vegas, NV. Nine grandchildren: Michelle & Matthew Brooks; Tamara, Troy & Trent Tangen; Erin Halverson; Allison, Jamie & Mallory Kirby. One great granddaughter: Ivy Marie Tangen. One brother-in-law: Arnold “Arnie” Rohm, Decorah, IA. Bill was preceded in death by his parents: William and Gladys Brooks. One son: Bruce Brooks on May 24, 1998. Three sisters: Joyce Whalen, Dorothy Nelson and Dolores Rohm. One brother: Delmar Brooks. Two sisters-in-law: Marcella Brooks and Sarah Brooks. One nephew: Barry Whalen.