William F. Brooks Jr.

Rest in peace. Bill was the only brother to my father, Edward Cloney Brooks. God bless them both.

Many thanks to all of you who have visited and signed the Guest Book, and also to those who may do so in coming days and weeks. From everyone in the Brooks family, our deep and sincere thanks for being with us or contacting us. Best wishes, Bill Brooks III

Jean and Family,
I am so very sorry to read of your great loss. Bill was a wonderful man, and I enjoyed our conversations at the Credit Union functions, and also at his law firm. He will be missed greatly, and in my thoughts forever. My deepest sympathy to your family.

Doris and I learned only today of Bill's passing. What sad news to receive on my 76th birthday. He was my only first cousin--his Dad, William Fern Brooks, and my Dad, Edward Cloney Brooks, were brothers. Although we didn't keep close touch after childhood, Bill Jr. and I had reconnected in recent years and shared family tree information and antecdotes of the old days. Bill and Jean were extremely gracious to my wife Doris on several occasions when she passed through Minneapolis and in 2000, after the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, we had a wonderful time together at his dauther Liz's house. I wish we could have had more time together even though we were polar opposites politically! I'm sure he's looking down though and watching with fascination the political dogfights going on for the presidency. God Bless him, Jean and his children and their families. From Bill's cousin in Guam, Jim Brooks

Sory to read of Bill's death..he was a real GENTLEMAN ...always a pleasure to see him...one of our favorate customers at Jax...our prayers are with all in the family as you celebrate his life.

Jean and family,
We were very saddened to hear of Bill's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We relish Bill's humor and our credit union times together.
Gary and Patti Rippie

Jean, Bill III, Elizabeth, and Family:
The Board of Directors, Management, and Staff of US Fedeal Credit Union have lost a valued and respected member of our Official Family. And we have lost a true friend. We share your loss and your sorrow in our own hearts and in our lives. Bill served as a volunteer for 13 years on the board of our credit union and his experience, perspective, insight, and friendship will be sorely missed. Bill was a passionate believer and supporter of the philosophy, values, and mission of credit unions; and he was a staunch advocate for the financial cooperative concept. Personally, I relished listening to his fondly reminiscing about his fascinating experiences and accomplishments as a reporter at the Star-Tribute, as a respected and sought-out lobbyist, and a as politial activist. We enjoyed endless, and often repetitive, political and social debates; and it was virtualy impossible to win against his logic and persuasiveness. His contributions to the governance of our credit union were instrumental in subtle and effective ways in guiding us to positive and product outcomes. We will miss you dearly, Bill; but your spirit will be there with us guiding us ever onward to the vision you shared for a world that cound be and would be better for everyone.

Bill & Wannapa Raker

I was deeply saddened to hear of Bill's passimg. In the many years that I worked with Bill at the Taxpayers Association I looked up to him as a mentor and incredibly strong supporter of the organization. His keen insight and sage advice will be greatly missed.

My deepest sympathy to the Brooks family on Bill's passing. He was instrumental in recruiting me from NYC to the Chestnut/Brooks law firm in 1971 where I practiced law until 1984. He was a true Renaissance man whose interests were far ranging and whose humanity towards others knew few limits. Thanks, Bill, for all your help & guidance.

Please accept my sincerest condolences in your loss. Although I never met Bill, he was a distant cousin of mine. Unfortunately, I found him only through a Google search for his grandmother, which turned up his obituary, and now I will not have a chance to meet him. His maternal grandmother, Octavia Lewis, was the granddaughter of Joseph Marshall Jemison, the brother of my great-great-grandfather, Robert Jemison. I would love to have contact with the family and find out more about this branch of the Jemison family. I have some of Joseph Marshall's letters.

sorry to hears of Bill's passing, he was a good person. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Although I never met William F. Brooks, Jr. his leadership on the Wayside House board of directors (1960-1991) and many years as the Board President made a huge contribution to countless women seeking sobriety. The mission of Wayside House is to help chemically dependent women establish healthy lifestyles, achieve personal potential, and become productive citizens by providing treatment, housing and social services. William F. Brooks, Jr. work is a big reason that Wayside House continues to thrive and support women in recovery. The board and community at Wayside House has your family in our thoughts.
Sincerely

Jean,

I'm so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He was a great friend of the MN Taxpayers Association and the MN Center for Public Finance Research. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

A former colleague and fellow Guildsman, I will miss Bill and send Jean warm condolences.
Dick Kleeman

Brooks Family..
I met Bill many years ago (1978) through his involvement in the Minnesota Credit Union Movement when I worked with the MN CU League. He was instrumental in establishing and maintaining for many years a credit union for Minnesota lawyers. He was primarily responsible with other members of his firm for many years of legislative lobbying success for the Minnesota Credit Union League, now the Minnesota Credit Union Network. I will always remember our conversations regarding the difference credit unions could make in the lives of humankind and the sage solicited and sometimes not advice and philosophies he shared with me. I valued his friendship very much. Please accept my sympathies.

Jean,
I am absolutely saddened to hear about Bill's passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and he will be deeply missed.

Jean -

Just wanted to let you know that I feel fortunate to have known Bill and there are so many of us who share your loss. I am so glad that I had a chance to speak with Bill at our last technology committee meeting. I always relished those moments (almost as much as opening your holiday cards).

To the Brooks Family. I am very sorry for your loss. Bill was a very good lawyer and an even greater writer but more importantly he was a genuinely nice and caring person. There were contributions he made to this community like his service on the Wayside Board that helped a lot of folks who never knew him. He lived a great life.

Always a loyal and faithful friend to the Harrigan clan, especially to my late sister, Mary. They were DFLers to the bone! Bill coached me when I joined the Navy, and later in my career as well. Best Bill quote: "For a GD Republican, you just might turn out OK". We loved him.

Love and deepest sympathy to Jean and the Brooks family.

Dear Jean.
Although I didn't see Bill often, I always knew he was there.
I grew up knowing Bill, and later I met you, Liz and little Bill.
You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
Much love,
Sheila Harrigan

Dear Jean and Family,
You have our deepest sympathies for your loss.
I remember the discussions Bill and I had during the times I drove him home from board meetings. We talked about many of the world's problems and even thought we had a few solved. I'll miss those discussions and wonder who will solve tomorrow's problems.
Jack and Marcie Titus
US Federal Credit Union

Jean, Bill...
Sincerest condolences. Bill III informed me of his father's passing. Bill Jr. and you, Jean, were always good to me when I was a ne'er-do-well kid. He will be missed.

Warren Johnson
Estero Florida

Bill -
We are so sorry to hear about your father and please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Jean,
I am SO sorry for your loss. It's hard to believe how short the time since I saw Bill the day we went to the Hennepin Retirees Luncheon...

You and Bill will be in my thoughts and prayers ongoing.

Respectfully,
Bernie Grisez

I've been on the Board of Directors with Bill for many years. I will miss his input and presence at our meetings, and my sympathy goes out to his family.

Dearest Jean & Family,

Please accept our most heart felt condolences for your loss. We will miss Bill greatly. It was a joy to work with him and know him.

Blessings,
Evelyn & Darnell Jones
USFCU