Willis Wright Brasselle Jr.

BRASSELLE Willis Wright Brasselle, Jr. Known as "Daddy" or "Dad" by his daughters and sons-in-law, "Poppy" or "Big Buddy" by his grandchildren and "Wright" by all the rest of his family and friends, Willis Wright Brasselle, Jr., died peacefully in the morning of August 30, 2008. He was 79 years old and had been a resident of Santa Fe for the past 18 years. He was born in Columbus, GA, on June 30, 1929 to Willis Wright Brasselle and Mary Neal Koehne Brasselle. Mr. Brasselle served as staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict and then returned to complete his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Physics at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He married Elizabeth Anne "Sissy" Simonton on May 13, 1954, a marriage that lasted until Mrs. Brasselle's death in February 2002. In June 1955, Mr. Brasselle was hired as Jr. Geophysicist with Shell Oil Company, and he retired 35 years later in January 1990 as Manager of Exploration Operations, Pecten Brazil Petroleum Company. After retirement in Santa Fe, the Brasselle's were members of St. Johns' United Methodist Church. They moved from the retirement home they built to El Castillo Retirement Residences in lat 2001, remaining there for the rest of their lives. Mr. Brasselle was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by two daughters: Cynthia Durand and her husband Michael Durand of Lafayette, LA; and Anne Jennings and her husband Bob Jennings of Anchorage, Alaska. There are three grandchildren: David Riley of Houston, TX, Catherine Riley of Baton Rouge, LA, and Linda Riley of Lafayette, LA; other survivors include: one brother, Thomas Brasselle and his wife Janet Brasselle of Charleston, West Virginia; a nephew, Thomas Brasselle, Jr., and his wife Susan Brasselle of Charleston, West Virginia; a niece, Brenda Miller and her husband Scott Miller of Coca, FL; two great nieces; two great nephews; and many cousins. While Mr. Brasselle was well respected, loved by all and will be greatly missed by all who knew him, a "gentlemen's gentleman", as described by his sons-in-law, perhaps his finest tribute is offered in this dedication to him by his granddaughter Catherine upon presentation of her Honor's English Thesis, July 27, 2007: "For my Big Buddy, whose generosity and king-heartedness, who's never ending love and encouragement, whose very presence in my life has been a constant blessing - For the best splinter-remover in all the world, maker of the worlds best grits, and the man who taught me to appreciate Sam's hot dogs and roasted marshmallows - I love you, and I am beyond blessed to have you for a grandfather. Love, Little Buddy" We are all blessed. Thanks, Daddy, for everything. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600