The family of the late Mr. William Leonard Brooks, MBE, known to some as “Bill” and to others as “Lionel”, has announced his passing with fond memories. He passed away on April 21, 2021 at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Viewing of his body will be held at Pontiphlet’s Chapel at Moran’s Alternative Affordable Funeral and Cremation Service on Friday, June 18, from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm. The Service of Thanksgiving will take place on Saturday, June 19, at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary, commencing at 3.00 pm.
William was born on February 13, 1934, and was the son of the late John Edward Brooks and Clementina Brooks. He travelled to the United Kingdom in 1954. He was employed by East Berkshire Health Services and at the Switch Board at the King Edward the V11 Hospital in Windsor until his retirement in 1998, when he returned to Anguilla.
On February 14, 1995, he was awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth the Second for his longstanding contribution to healthcare to the East Berkshire community and the National Health Service (NHS) Trust.
In spite of working the night shift, from 11 pm to 7 am at the Prince Edward V1! Switch Board, William still found time to serve as Branch Secretary for UNISON. He was a member of a Multi-cultural Advisory Committee which looked at how health and social issues affected ethnic minorities; and he belonged to the Joint Consultative Negotiation Committee.
Left to celebrate the life of this well-respected Anguillian national, are his wife, Mrs. Anita Morton-Brooks; his children, Michael Brooks and family; Tina Brooks-Abraham, her children and grandchildren residing in England and three godchildren; his brother, Walter Brooks and family in the United States; sisters Edith Richardson and family; and Drucilla Francis and family, also in the US; and the descendants of his late sister: Madeline James in St. Thomas; Juliette ‘Levie’Hodge, Gloria Brooks and Maria Brooks and their families; and the descendants of his late brothers: Phillip, Charlie, James, Mc Ellis Brooks and their families.
He has also left a number of close friends and neighbours in Sachasses, South Valley, George Hill and Crocus Bay; former friends, colleagues and co-workers of the East Berkshire Health Service and the Switch Board at the King Edward V11 Hospital in Windsor.
Other close friends were: Doreen and Edward Lloyd; Eunice Carty and family; Ashley and Inez Mussington; Henry and Ludi Richardson; Anita Fleming; Orville and Hyacinth Hughes; Evalie Bradley; Patricia Rogers; Violet Berry and Gerry Gumbs; members of the Soroptimist Club; his church family; the descendants of the late George G. Richardson, including Professor Arthur Richardson; Dr. Daniel Richardson; Ethel Morton Brooks and their families; and many other friends who will cherish his memory.
May he rest in perpetual peace and rise in glory.
Editor’s note:
In addition to Mr. Brooks, a number of other Anguillians died recently and their funerals are still to be held. It is not possible to list their names here as they were not submitted to the newspaper by their relatives and were not otherwise available.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to all the families over the loss of their loved ones.
