Brookman, William Lee
William Lee “Billy” Brookman, 74, passed away at his home in Hardy, VA, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, after a long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Bill was the son of the late Helen Irene “Granny” Wills Brookman and Hunter “Guinea” Brookman.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by one sister, Bonnie Brookman Sutton; and niece, Beverly Sutton.
Billy is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judy Griggs Brookman; two children, Jared Wayland Brookman and wife Erica of Wise, VA, and Kayley Vann Brookman of Roanoke, VA; Billy was a proud grandfather to Carson Hunter Reid Vest and Jack Collins Brookman; sister, Betty Brookman Brown of Peterstown, WV; special nieces and nephews, Lori Ann Claytor Riddle (Audrey and Tyler), Richard Todd Sutton, and Troy Sutton; and special cousins, Albert Kelly, Roy Dillon, and Bruno Battaglia.
Bill Brookman grew up in Bozoo/Peterstown and was an active Boy Scout in his youth. After graduating from Peterstown High School in 1967, he enrolled at Bluefield State College. In the spring of 1969, he interrupted his education to work with the U.S. Government conducting Geodetic Coastal Surveys in Alexandria, VA, and the traveled to Houston, TX, to continue that work. Returning home in early 1970, he resumed his education at Bluefield State and enlisted in the National Guard. He was trained as a medic in the National Guard and served in the Buffalo Creek Flood Relief in February of 1972. Bill completed his degree at Bluefield State College, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. Although unclear when he did it, we have confirmed that Billy Brookman also drove an Ice Cream Truck to earn extra money for college expenses! Always an enterprising young man!
After graduation, Bill secured employment with Consolidated Coal, where he spent most of his adult life. Consolidated Coal later became Consol Energy and expanded their horizons to include oil and natural gas. Bill retired from Consol as Chief Electrical Engineer in Kentucky. During his career with Consol, Bill and Judy lived in Peterstown while he drove to Tazewell County. They later moved to Harrogate, TN, and Bluefield, WV. They spent several years in Wise, VA, where both Jared and Kayley graduated from J.J. Kelly High School.
Following his retirement, the Brookman’s moved to Hardy, VA, where Bill became an avid golfer. He actually became a student of the sport, reading and studying to improve his game. He volunteered at the Greenbrier Classic for several years and loved mingling with the professional golfers as he shuttled them from the airport to the resort. In Hardy, he played at the Westlake Country Club as a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
When his first grandson, Carson Hunter Reid Vest, was born in October of 2011, Bill’s entire life became focused on becoming the world’s best “PAP”. His greatest joy was spending time transporting Carson to and from school, teaching him to play golf, and just hanging out. Eighteen months ago, he became PAP again with the birth of his second grandson, Jack Collins Brookman. HIS LIFE WAS FULL!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Billy’s name to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087)
Memorial services will be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home in Peterstown, WV, with John Terry officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00PM until time of services at the funeral home.
Online guestbook can be signed or condolences may be sent to the family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com. Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, WV.
