William "Bill" Brazelton

1935 - 2022

William (Bill) was born in Anniston, Alabama on May 9, 1935, to Frank Brazelton and Mary Francis (Jay) Brazelton. Bill studied Electrical Engineering at Auburn University upon his graduation from high school. Bill interrupted his studies to enlist in the United States Army in 1957. Upon discharge from the U.S. Army Bill returned to complete his studies at Jacksonville State University. Upon graduation Bill embarked upon a career in the space industry joining the Locheed Corporation to work on the installation of satellite systems used for navigation and communications on the Redstone Rockets in Huntsville Alabama. As Bill's career progressed he moved to Marietta Georgia to work on the Lockheed C-130 Aircraft Program. Upon completion of the C-130 Program Bill was transferred to Locheed in New Orleans to work on their Missle Program. In the early 1970's Bill went to work for the Chrysler Corporation in Grand Rapids Michigan as a Systems Designer pioneering Chrysler's embrace of Information Technology. In the 80's Bill moved to Pascagoula Mississippi to work for the MRI Corporation designing Information Systems for the U.S. Navy's Submarine and Aircraft Carrier programs. MRI merged with the Intel Corporation which brought a move to Herndon Virgina where Bill was a Division Leader for the Intel Corporation until retiring in 1993. Along the way while not occupied with work Bill enjoyed his passion for music. While in Michigan playing with the Detroit Philharmonic and in Washington, D.C. he was a founding member of the Reston Chamber Quartet. Bill's grandfather was a telegraph operator for the railroad which inspired him to become proficient as a telegraph operator and later as a HAM radio operator. When he could find the time he enjoyed star gazing and studying astronomy. Never happy idle, Bill opened a business, Brazelton Model Services, a precision machine shop where he designed and built precision miniature drill presses for model railroad builders, precision instrument builders, and jewelers. In his latter years, Bill shared his love of music by becoming a violin teacher for Jacksonville State University and as a private tutor and mentor to many young students over the years. For the last 29 years Bill lived in Anniston, Alabama with his beloved late wife, Dorothy (Dottie) Brazelton. His greatest accomplishment was his family, his children, and his 55 years of marriage. Above all, Bill's love of God was primary. He was a Bible scholar and held strong religious beliefs. His faith ran deep and he believed that every day that he lived on earth was a gift from God and that he was always ready to go home to Heaven whenever God decided it was time. That time to go home to Heaven came on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at NHC Healthcare in Anniston, AL where he was a resident for the last three years. Secondary to love of God was Bill's love of and devotion to family, including those who had already gone to Heaven ahead of him. Family brought him much joy and happiness over his lifetime. Preceding him in death were his parents, Frank and Mary Francis (Jay) Brazelton, his older sister, Francis Marion McFarland, his brother, Hallet Brazelton, and his beloved wife Dorothy "Dottie" Virginia Davenport Brazelton. Other surviving family members include his three sons, Lloyd Blackwell of Grand Forks, ND (Patricia), Phil Blackwell of Marietta, GA (Diane), and William Brazelton, Jr. of Broken Arrow, OK; four grandsons, Shayne Brazelton of Broken Arrow, OK, Noah Brazelton of Broken Arrow, OK, Nate Brazelton of Broken Arrow, OK, and Josh Brazelton of Broken Arrow, OK; four granddaughters, Leslie Liles of Fresno, CA (Linda), Meredith Weber of Kennesaw, GA (Bill), Alice Blackwell of Alexandria, LA (Christof Stumpf), and Laura Blackwell of Walnut Creek, CA (Dennis Hwang); three great granddaughters, Abby Weber of Kennesaw, GA, Tanith Hwang of Walnut Creek, CA, and Seraphina Hwang of Walnut Creek, CA; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Central Standard Time on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Gray Brown Service Mortuary and Crematory, located at 1329 Wilmer Avenue, Anniston, AL 36201 (256) 236-3441. Visitation with family will be held at 10:30 AM Central Standard Time with funeral services following.Graveside Committal Service will be held at 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, on the same day, at Georgia Memorial Park Cemetery, 2000 Cobb Parkway South, Marietta, GA 30060 located at the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Windy Hill Road (770) 952-4478. The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 4100 Ronnaki Road, Anniston, AL 36207.