William R. Brookman Jr., 95

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — William (Bill) R Brookman Jr. passed away November 3, 2017, at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 95. 

At the time of his death he was residing with his daughter Kathleen in Williamstown, Mass. From 1988 until recently he was a resident of Conover, N.C. 

William Brookman was born October 29, 1922, in South Williamstown, Mass., to William R and Myrtle C Phelps Brookman. He attended Williamstown schools, graduating in 1940 from Williamstown High School and Stockbridge School of Agriculture, Amherst, Mass., in 1942. 

William married Frances M Beverly on November 3, 1945. They were married for 71 years. Frances passed away July 31, 2017. 

He was employed as livestock manager at Mount Hope Farm Estate for 15 years and as farm manager for subsequent owners until his retirement in 1988. William was a veteran of two wars, serving in the European theatre with the 7th Army 382nd Military Police as a first Lieutenant in World War II and in the Military Police in the Korean War (1951-1952). He was a member of the Williamstown Masonic Lodge, the American Legion in NC, a former member and past president of the Williamstown Rotary Club, and a former member of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation. 

He served the Town of Williamstown as a Selectman, and was a member of the Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission. He was an original commissioner of the Hoosac Water Quality District, serving for six years. He was a former trustee of the Williamstown Savings Bank. 

He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Dunn of Williamstown, Mass., and Julie Brown of Taylorsville, N.C.; two sisters, Emily Anderson and Dawn Fulford; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. 

A sister, Phyllis Oleson, and brother, Donald Brookman predeceased him. 

Funeral notice: A graveside memorial service is planned for the spring of 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, Amherst, Mass., through the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.