William Terrell Brodnax Jr.

William Terrell Brodnax, Jr. was known to some as Jabo, some as Terry, and some as Bill. He was born in 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee to a formidable mother, Gladys Greene Brodnax, and a father who never met a stranger, William Sr., known to most as Beetle. He and his sister Jacquelyn Brodnax Turner, called Jackie or Dutch, grew up together in Catholic schools, in the bosom of a laughing and loving family with very high expectations, and in a segregated Memphis.
He went to Xavier University in New Orleans, the only historically Black Catholic college in the country, and as he always said, he "had too much fun and flunked out." He got drafted during Vietnam, playing clarinet in the Army band, and returned home with a renewed focus and a GI Bill, which he took to Marian University in Indianapolis and finished college, majoring in English.
He loved writing, inspired by James Baldwin, and he drove a cab after college while he worked on his dream. He learned the streets of Indianapolis like the back of his hand, and you could count on him for directions anywhere until the end of his days.
He married Rita Kohne Brodnax in 1976 and had his daughter, Shana Terese Brodnax Reid, in 1977 and his son, Cory Leon Brodnax, in 1982. He got a responsible day job as a Caseworker at the Indiana Welfare department so he could be there for every school pick-up and sick day, and parenting and working and a rich social life filled his years. He eventually moved on to become an Investigator at the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, giving him the opportunity to act on his deep convictions around justice. Though he and Rita divorced in 1995, the family continued to share holidays together then and now. He was the kind of father who always, always showed up for the big moments and small needs in his children's lives. He valued his relationships with his family no matter what happened, and was a pillar and bridge in the family no matter what.
He retired in 2005, and fully enjoyed his retirement season of life for 20 years – giving him time to indulge his passions for movies, good food, and music of all genres and generations. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of movies, actors, music, and singers, and a huge record collection. He stayed until the end of the credits at every movie, to respect the makers. He had a big appetite and a wicked sweet tooth. He laughed loudly and easily, but also could command a room when needed. He always carried with him something to read and something to snack on. At work, he dressed to the nines, coordinated down to the pen and handkerchief in his jacket pocket. He was a loyal friend, having dinner every month for decades with the group of friends who called themselves the Gladstones. He was a poll worker at every election, carrying strong memories of Jim Crow in Memphis and a deep belief that voting is inextricably linked with freedom. He was an activist and taught his children to show up and fight for what's right.
He shared his life with his beloved partner Susan Malasics for the past 29 years, and his life was both extended and bettered by her devotion and care.
He went into the hospital for the last time on Father's Day, and he died peacefully on June 17, 2025. He is survived and grieved by Susan, his children, his granddaughter Rosemary Terese born to Shana and her husband Chris just 8 months ago, his sister, his cousins, his friends, his fellow parishioners at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, and anyone who ever shared a meal with him.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10:30am at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathilic Church, 4625 N. Kenwood Ave., Indinapolis, IN 46208. Services are entrusted to Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood Chapel, 481 W. Main Street, Greenwood