William Robert “Bill” Brooks, 78, of Tolono passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loving family on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Bill was born on July 16, 1947 in Indiana, to parents William Siler and Hilah Lou Dixon Brooks. He was the second oldest of 10 siblings. Bill grew up in rural Sidney, Champaign, and Urbana. He attended Unity High School for grades 9-11 and graduated from Urbana High School in 1965. Bill was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War and served in Pleiku from 1967-68. He was a proud Army veteran. When he returned, he became a meat cutter. He would go on to work at Sunnycrest IGA, Jerry’s IGA - Round Barn, and Meijer in Urbana (among others) over the next 40 years. Bill loved his job and felt at home in the meat room! Bill was “Dad” to 5 children and “Pa Bill” to 9 grandchildren, whom he adored. Spoiling his grandkids was his favorite thing to do. Bill loved sports, playing softball in his younger years and watching all sports on TV (especially the Illini and Chicago White Sox). He loved to fish and had many fond memories of taking trips to Canada with his brothers and friends. After retirement, Bill could be found driving around in his truck, going to breakfast with friends, watching Gunsmoke while drinking coffee in his recliner, feeding the squirrels, and playing poker on his iPad.

Bill is survived by his children: Rocky (Amy) Brooks of St. Joseph, IL, Andrea (Josh) Hawn of Farmer City, IL, Staci (Kyle) Kamradt of Tolono, IL, Lindsay (Jake) Kelley of Pesotum, IL, Kelli (Austin) Wise of Kankakee, IL, and his grandchildren: Jackson, Aidan, and Jonah Hawn, Joey and Allie Kamradt, Scarlett and William Kelley, and Knox Lee and Iyla Lynn Wise. He is also survived by his siblings: Dixie Brooks of Cisco, IL, John (Evelyn) Brooks of Rantoul, IL, Ken (Paige) Brooks of Chrisman, IL, Stan (Nancy) Brooks of Auburn, AL, James Brooks of Paris, IL, LuAnn (Kevin) Potter of Industry, IL, Scott Brooks of Locust Grove, GA, Steve Brooks of Phoenix, AZ, and Susie (Mike) Reagan of Dallas, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Hilah Brooks.

Per Bill’s wishes, there will be no services. The family will host a Celebration of Life in the spring. They invite you to share memories and pictures of Bill at https://everloved.com/life-of…

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Tolono Fire Department.

The family would also like to sincerely thank the Danville VA, Nurses Next Door in Ogden, IL, Transitions Hospice Care, and Bella’s Home Health and Caregiving for their amazing care for our dad. 

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