Deacon William Brooks Sr.

William Brooks, Sr., 95, born in Bastrop, TX on August 21, 1917, was called home while surrounded by his loving family on August 8, 2013. He was a proud WWII Navy veteran of the Pacific Theater and a devoted 75-year member of Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where he served for years as Senior Deacon. His love of family was an inspiration to all and he never met a stranger. He loved to laugh, garden, fish, go out to eat with friends, talk politics, & socialize at every opportunity. If ever someone was in need of encouragement, a kind word, or prayer, he was there. But above all, he loved to testify about his personal relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived, believed, and followed The Word as few have or do. He was a walking history lesson and born story teller his entire life. He put those skills to good use over the past several years when he became an annual honored speaker at Mathews Elementary during Black History Month, where all the children knew him affectionately as "Paw Paw Brooks". One of his greatest gifts was the ability to make each person in his life feel as if they were something very special to him---because they were. Brother Brooks was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Willie Mae, and his children Vivian Brooks Berkley and Carroll Ann Brooks Johnson. He is survived by his children William Brooks, Jr., Mary Alice Brooks Williams, Grace Brooks Smith, George Brooks, Sr., Brenda Brooks Rogers, Eloise Brooks, 19 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 29 great-great-grandchildren, as well as countless "adopted" grands & great-grands, including his namesake, Brooks Warden, and his entire Greater Mt. Zion Church family. His life and legacy will remain a testament that God works through man, to man. Services entrusted to King-Tears Mortuary, Inc.