Bill Brooks Memorial Guest Book
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In lieu of flowers, the family would like any donations to be made to the American Cancer Society, 4 Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401.
Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass,
or glory in the flower, we will grieve not; rather find strength in what remains behind.
~From “Splendor in the Grass”
GREENSBORO — William Townsend Brooks, 62, of Greensboro, passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at Wesley Long Community Hospital.
A celebration of his life and accomplishments will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, at the Brooks family residence at 5416 Eastern Shores Drive.
Born February 6, 1945, in Woodbury, N.J., he was the son of the late Angela Marie Taylor and the late Clifford William Brooks.
While at Woodbury High School, Bill represented his hometown as the boy governor of New Jersey.
Bill graduated from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania in 1967. At Gettysburg, he was an All-Conference and All-East football player and class president. He also graduated in the top ten percent of his class.
He continued his education at Syracuse University, where he earned his master’s degree.
He was later commissioned as an Army officer serving 23 months of overseas duty in Okinawa during the Vietnam Conflict. During his service, he was nominated for the Soldier’s Medal for saving lives under hostile conditions. He was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant.
Bill spent time at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. There he served as a university professor, a college dean and a highly successful college football coach. While serving as the country’s youngest head football coach on the college level, he amassed a 65% win record.
Bill was the founder and CEO of The Brooks Group, a highly successful sales consulting firm based in Greensboro. Using Bill’s ideas, The Brooks Group has trained more than one million salespeople all over the world.
Bill was the author of 19 books including three best sellers. The former CEO of a national firm with 3,500 employees, Bill was a member of the Professional Speaking Hall of Fame. He was also the only person in the world to concurrently hold the Certified Speaking Professional, the Council of Peers Award for Excellence and the Certified Management Consultant designations.
Perhaps Bill’s greatest accomplishment, however, is the family he leaves behind. His wife, Nancy Greever, is an accomplished glass artist. His older son, Will, is married to Andrea Notaro and serves as the Director of Sales at The Brooks Group. His younger son, Jeb, is currently enrolled at Elon Law School. Bill’s older brother Adrian Brooks and his wife, Claire spend time in New Jersey and Florida.
Bill focused his life on helping as many people as he possibly could. He exercised this drive by building winning football teams, a successful business, and countless friendships.
Forbis & Dick North Elm Chapel, Greensboro N.C. is serving the Brooks Family. Online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.
Published in the News Record on 10/29/2007
