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BORN
1923
DIED
2016
William Brokaw Obituary
November 14, 1923 - August 5, 2016
Resident of Aptos
Bill Brokaw, 92, passed away peacefully of natural causes at home in Aptos on August 5. He died with JoAnne, his wife of 60 years, by his side. Bill is survived by JoAnne; his children, Rebecca (Paul Hurford), David, Naomi (Brian Moffet), and Marianne Lin (Patrick); his grandchildren, Jeremy Hurford (Nicki), Kyle Hurford, and Jason Lin; his great-grandsons, Jaxon and William Hurford; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold H. and Winifred Bullock Brokaw; his sister, Nina Andersen; and his brother, Philip.
Born in Whittier, CA, in 1923, Bill grew up on his parents' avocado ranch. After graduating high school, he attended art school and community college while working at Douglas Aircraft, building planes for WWII. He was drafted into the Army Air Corps in March, 1943, and he served until October, 1945 as a radio operator and gunner on a B24 "Liberator." His combat experiences made him keenly attuned to violence and injustice, especially towards children and other vulnerable members of society. This awareness affected his choices for the rest of his life, including his decision to teach elementary school and his participation in the local peace and justice community.
Bill met JoAnne while attending the University of Colorado, Boulder. They married in 1955 and lived in Southern California, where Bill began his teaching career. They moved to Santa Cruz in 1961 and settled in Aptos in 1968. Bill earned a Stanford MA while continuing to teach, and in 1965 he led the first bilingual classroom in the Soquel School District. Over the years, he taught at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary, Soquel Elementary, and Capitola Jr. High.
Bill had a great talent for contentment and for finding the joy in life. He was always ready to smile and made friends wherever he went. All four generations of his Santa Cruz family lived near him, and the bonds he shared with them, especially JoAnne, gave him comfort and solace in his last few months.
Donations in Bill's memory may be made to Resurrection Catholic Parish Food Pantry or your local food bank.
A memorial mass will be held at Resurrection Community Parish on Saturday, September 17, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the parish hall.
View the online memorial for William Brokaw
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Memories and Condolences
for William Brokaw
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
6 Entries
Terri Hughes
August 22, 2020
Such a man,The Best Father and Wonderful Friend, The Greatest Teacher of all.....I deadly love the Entire Brokaw family... Missing Dad daily
Patty Lou Nessen
May 19, 2017
Mr Brokaw was my teacher at Soquel elementary. I was notorious for getting poison oak and I remember him applying calamine lotion to my face and arms. I just remember him being so kind to me and he was my favorite teacher. I'm 65 now and hope his family sees this post. My sincere condolences to his family.
Patty Jensen- Nessen
Tristy Miley
September 6, 2016
I had the honor of having Mr. Brokaw as my teacher up at Santa Cruz Gardens Elemtary school. He was a wonderful teacher and a kind man. I loved to see him running around town as I got older. I even was able to show my young son who my teacher had been when I was his age. He will be remembered fondly and missed dearly. Much love to his family and friends.❤
Here's a great shot of Dad from the 80's. Always helping, always smiling. Miss you Dad.
David Brokaw
August 30, 2016
Terri Hughes
August 29, 2016
Mr.Brokaw will be remembered as the father everyone wanted as their Dad.He was a fun,fair loving man,with the best family ever,after meeting them,your known as family forever.It pains me to say goodbye, but I know his spirit will live on forever. Blessings to the Family,please pray for them,for they are going to miss Dad.We all do.
Rhonda Waldron
August 28, 2016
RIP SeniorBrokaw!! You will be truly missed!! Blessings/hugs to Joann and family!! Love from Rhonda former student/friend!!
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