William Brooks

William R. Brooks, 83, of Lomita, California passed away at 12:45am Tuesday February 12th at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Torrance, CA. His death resulted from heart problems. Bill was born August 16, 1929 in Monmouth to Thomas H. and Sarah C. (Shunick) Brooks. He attended Central Grade School and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1949. He was one of six children born to this union. He was preceded in death by his sisters Mary F. (Robert) Masterson, C. Lucille (Samuel) Williams and his brothers Thomas H. and John Richard. He is survived by his sister, Margaret F. (Floyd "Bud") Westfield and niece, Lisa A. Westfield, of St. Louis, MO. Additional survivors include two nieces and two nephews and numerous cousins. Mrs. Westfield is the last surviving member of the Brooks Family. Bill, a machinist, spent his entire life working in the California aerospace industry. Working for North American Rockwell for 30 years, Bill's jobs included work on the Apollo missions which culminated with the landing of Apollo 11 on the moon, July 20, 1969 and for which he received a commendation from NASA. Additionally, Bill's work included the Shuttle Program and the B1 Bomber. Bill retired from Boeing in 1987. Bill was a kind and giving soul and always looked after his sister Margaret and niece Lisa, after Bud Westfield died. Never a day passed that he didn't call St. Louis to see if his "girls' were okay or to see if they needed anything. Services:A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 17 at 10am at St. Mary's Cemetery with Msgr. Thomas Mack officiating. Memorials may be made to either Immaculate Conception Church or Warren County Humane Society.