William Brooks

Theodore William (Bill) Brooks, 97, husband of Rosemary Brooks for 69 years, father of seven, home builder and community leader, died peacefully from natural causes on November 13, 2015. Bill was born on March 21, 1918 to Ray and Helen Brooks in Sioux Falls, SD. He had two younger sisters, Jeanette Peterson and Betty Thal, who preceded him in death. Bill graduated from the University of South Dakota and immediately joined the Army as a Lieutenant. He served in the African and Italian Theaters during World War II. As an officer his credo was, I would never ask my men to do anything that I would not do. While serving in the Army, he met Rosemary Mooney, and they were united in marriage on July 6, 1946. He described his marriage to Rosemary as the greatest thing that ever happened to me. After studying at the Wharton School of Business, he returned to Sioux Falls where he opened his own business: Brooks Construction/Concrete. He took pride in a lifetime of building quality homes for families. He was an innovator in the industry, being the first contractor in South Dakota to use the now ubiquitous brick-form basement. He was also an early adapter of technology, adopting computers and cell phones as soon as they appeared on the market. He loved children and always wanted a big family, and this wish was granted. He and Rosemary had seven children, one daughter, and six sons: Barbara B. Johnson (Tim) Sioux Falls, SD; Ted (Ricky) Redwood City, CA; Bob (Judy) Appleton, WI; Ron (Lauri) Alexandria, VA; Ray (Lisa) Sioux Falls, SD; Rick (Carol), Prescott, AZ; and Steve (Janice), Morrison, CO. Actively involved in civic affairs, Bill was the last remaining charter member of the South Dakota Air National Guard. He received the Minuteman Award for his service and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was also the last remaining charter member of the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire and was sworn into the organizations Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was a charter member and served as a board director of the Poured Concrete Wall Contractors of America. For over 30 years, Bill was a member of the Sertoma Club. Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and enjoyed a variety of sportsespecially golf, which he played into his 90s. One of his favorite activities was golfing with his sons on beautiful fall afternoons. He spent his retirement years in Lake Placid, FL before returning to Sioux Falls in 2013. He liked to tell people that he returned for the weather. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his 14 grandchildrenBrooks, Brendan, and Kelsey Johnson, Molly, Kevin, Katherine, Spencer, Norris, Shanna, Jeni, Bill, Holly, Kimberly, and Cooper Brooks; and eight great-grandchildrenTrualem, Penn, Sutton, Cooper, Arijus, Aureja, Gwynith, and Rose. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed the South Dakota Special Olympics.