William D. "Bill" Brooks, 87

William D. Brooks (Bill) passed away on Dec. 10, 2015 at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — his home for 20 happy years. Bill was born in Lexington, Neb., on Dec. 11, 1927 to Marvin L and Audrey (Thomas) Brooks. The oldest of five children, he spent his school years in Gothenburg, Neb. studying, playing football and helping out at home. He graduated in 1945.

After graduating Bill enlisted in the Navy Air Corps where he was accepted into the V-5 Pilot Training Program. He trained and studied at the universities of New Mexico and Nebraska until his discharge in 1948. At that time he transferred to Hastings College in Nebraska where he majored in business administration. It was here that he met Jane Rincker, the woman he would marry and spend the rest of his life with. They were married at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Hastings in 1950. To their union were born three children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Bill’s career started as an accountant at Union Pacific in Omaha, Neb. He continued to add to his employable skills, interests and knowledge changing companies as he progressed toward his final position at Eli Lilly and Co. Starting at Eli Lilly’s agribusiness division, Elanco Products Co, he moved from district manager to manager of national accounts and finally to managing international accounts for Elanco. His promotions took him and his family to live in many new places eventually including Mexico and Argentina. He was always quick to credit his wife Jane for partnering with him throughout his successful career.

In retirement Bill and Jane moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1994 from Indianapolis and spent the many full and happy years that were left with family and friends in their lovely home. As a member of St Luke’s Episcopal Church Bill served on the Vestry and Finance committees. He also belonged to American Legion Post 14, The Elks and the Hayden Lake Country Club during his time in North Idaho. Bill loved to golf, fish and play poker with friends, his son and grandson. A stroke in May, 2012 limited many of his activities but never his love of life, friends and family. The many wonderful friends Bill and Jane have in Coeur d’Alene loved and supported them through that time and continue to do so in his death. His son Jeff has been a wonderful helper, friend and companion as well.

William was proceeded in death by his parents, his brother Stanley Brooks and sister Marilyn Heuer. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Jane (Rincker) Brooks and by his children, sons Jeff of Coeur d’Alene and David, recently of Coeur d’Alene from Atlanta, Ga, and his daughter Cindy (Brooks) Erler and her husband Bill of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Bill E’s sister Karli Sullivan, as well as a beloved daughter-in-law Susan C. Brooks. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Charles (wife Lauren Brooks) and their three children, Devin, Maddox and Logan and grandchildren Lucas and Maya Erler and Rachel Sullivan.

Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 19, at St Luke’s Episcopal Church located at 5th and Wallace in Coeur d’Alene. Inurnment will follow immediately after the service at St. Luke’s Columbarium. In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorials to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or to their ministries. Please visit Bill's online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com