Billie Brooks

Billie Brooks was born on October 6, 1940, to Jennie and Rufus Brooks in Logan County, Braeholm, West Virginia. He attended Ackerville Grade School. At six years old he accepted Christ as his lord and savior and was baptized in the Buffalo Creek, in West Virginia.  During high school, he enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, and football. In 1958 he graduated from Buffalo High School in Mann West Virginia. In 1960, he moved to Boston, MA, to seek employment. During his first year, in Boston MA, he met the love of his life Dreama at a party for West Virginia natives. On April 27, 1963, Dreama and Billie were wed in Holy matrimony in Roxbury, MA. On September 1, 1963, Billy Jr. was born. While raising his family, he moved to Charlame Park Homes I in 1963. Three years later, in 1966 of September Danita became the newest addition to the family. From 1960-1964, he worked at Mass General Hospital as a custodian. From 1965-1969 he worked at Harrison Supply. From 1969-1973 he worked at Avenue Supply. From 1973-1981 he worked at Economy Hardware, all of these as an appliance delivery man. From 1981 to 2008 he worked and retired, as a custodian at Suffolk Superior Court House in Boston, Ma.

Billie enjoyed fishing, with two of his best friends from West Virginia, Charlie Rox and Ralph Robinson, at Carson Beach, Boston, MA. He also played basketball on St. James St, with locals in the neighborhood. He took many trips on the Amtrac with family and friends to visit family back home in West Virginia. He enjoyed listening to music on the record player. Some of his favorites were James Brown, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, the Temptations, and Al Green. He would spend a summer night playing Bid Whist, Pokeno, and poker with Del and Eunice Wooten until the sun came up.  He enjoyed watching the Good the Bad and the Ugly, Gunsmoke and Sanford & Son.

He taught Billy Jr. how to read the sports statistics in the newspaper at only six years old.  Every Sunday before church he’d polish Danita’s shoes and made sure she had money for the collection plate. He was not the flashiest man, however, he loved a dark blue pair of jeans, and a plaid shirt, with his baseball cap everywhere he went.

He was a family historian, with a plethora of information, he was so on point that he could tell you: who was there, what the occasion was, how much it cost, and the exact date.

He left an everlasting imprint on each person that he had encountered. When it came to family, he would make sure you would know how you are related. He told many stories about West Virginia, the coalmines, the company store, outhouses, carrying buckets of water, coal, and wood, and watching his father slop the hog, and skin the chickens. He would make the best pot of pinto beans ever. He always made sure that his loved ones were taken care of and had everything they needed. His dedication to his family was unwavering, and he would do anything to ensure their happiness and well-being.

During his retirement, he spent a good amount of time, traveling to Malden to be with his grandchildren. He took enjoyment in playing lottery games and scratch tickets. He was a man of humility, he pushed in silence. Aiming daily to do good and be good and never boasted of himself. Throughout his retirement, he took care of Dreama as it gave him tremendous purpose. He was very attentive, caring, and patient. Those who knew him knew how generous he was in a time of need.  Although he wasn’t part of an armed service, everyday was  like a boot camp. He ran a tight ship, always early for appointments, and never had anyone waiting for him. The trash had to be out the night before, his outfit would be decided for the next day, and he was always stocked up on household supplies. If you ever got to have a conversation with him on the phone, he always asked how others were doing and that could be between 20-30 people in one conversation. Most of all, in his retirement, his main concern was his wife. He made sure, she had what she needed, and took very good care of her at home.  Billie dedicated his life to ensure that Dreama was nurtured, comfortable, and situated 24/7 and he did it selflessly.

On August 23, 2023, Billie departed this Earth peacefully to be with the Lord surrounded by his loved ones.

Billie was preceded in death by his parents Jennie Brooks and Rufus Brooks Sr., Rufus Brooks Jr.(brother) and wife Christine Brooks (sister-in-law), Hillary Brooks (brother), Emma Cowan (aunt), Randolph Haynes (brother-in-law), Arnie Hinkle (brother in law), Harold Yarborough, Oretha Yarborough (sister in law), .

Billie is survived by his loving wife, Dreama Brooks, Billy Brooks Jr (son), and Danita Brooks (daughter). Grandchildren: Xenia, Billy III, Kevin Jr, Gia, Ria, Olivia, and Lauryn. Great grandchildren: Janelly, Rihanna, Aliyah, Josiah Jr, Major, and Zyaire. Aunt Ann Lyons of Akron, Ohio. Siblings: Tommie Brooks, & Nancy Lopez Brooks, Walter Brooks & Mary Brooks , Thelma Jones, Smiler Haynes I, Novella Hinkle, and  Sesalee Brooks . He will be sadly missed by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. 

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