William Brett Linam

William Brett Linam, 59, of Zavalla, Texas, passed away on August 1, 2025, in New Caney, Texas. Brett was born on April 22, 1966, in El Paso, Texas, to William Jackson Linam and Eva Paulette Whelchel.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., with a Rosary to follow, at Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nacogdoches at 10:30am, with Father George Elliott officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery in Chireno, Texas.

Brett had a lifelong passion for basketball and devoted 32 years to shaping young lives as a beloved coach and teacher in Texas public schools. He impacted generations of students, not just through sports or academics, but through the way he encouraged, believed in, and supported them.

He enjoyed being out on his boat at Sam Rayburn Reservoir or famously sitting under his large umbrella at Crystal Beach. He had a great sense of humor and loved telling jokes-many of which, he'd say, came straight from "The Book of Linam." He also loved telling old stories about family members and friends.

He would tell you that his greatest blessings were his two sons, Rex and Jax. He often talked about fishing trips he took them on as kids. He would wait until their Uncle Bryant told him he had just baited up a catfish hole, and then-when Uncle Bryant was at work-they would take his boat out and catch a limit of catfish. Dad always joked that he didn't even get to fish because they were catching them so fast that all he had time to do was take fish off hooks and rebait them.

Brett had a true faith in Jesus Christ and showed this by joining the Holy Roman Catholic Church in 2005. He was a dog lover and passed that love on to his sons.

He is survived by his sons, Rex Linam of Nacogdoches, and Jackson Linam and wife Mariah Linam of Chireno; granddaughter Blake Linam of Chireno; mother and stepfather, Paulette and Doug Cates of Zavalla; brother and sister-in-law, Bryant and Bridgett Linam of Etoile; nieces and nephew, Bryanna Linam of Etoile, Chelsea Peach of Lufkin, and Kevin Barnes of Nacogdoches; great-niece Valerie Peach of Lufkin; first cousins Diane Williams and David Waters of El Paso, and Kay Darpino of New Jersey; and numerous other extended family members, loved ones, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Linam; maternal grandparents, Paul and Dorothy Whelchel; paternal grandmother, Ora Linam; aunts Verda Carson, Martha Waters, and Francis Stirman; sister-in-law April Barnes; and first cousin Clay Waters.

Serving as pallbearers are Danny Adkins, Ricky Oliver, Kevin Barnes, Quinn Godwin, David Sargent, and David Sargent Jr.

The family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to everyone who lifted them up in prayer, visited, called, or showed kindness during this difficult time.