William “Bill” Thomas Brooks

The following obituary is being shared as a courtesy to the local family and friends of Mr. Brooks. On behalf of the MRC Funeral Home family, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family during this time.

POLKTON – On Monday, August 4, 2025, Mr. William “Bill” Thomas Brooks, 90, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his bedside.

There will be a memorial service at 2:00 PM, Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Polkton Methodist Church with Rev. Yvonne Hechler officiating.

The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday.

Bill was born April 3, 1935, in Chesterfield, SC and was a son of the late Thomas Jefferson Brooks and the late Sarah Rivers Brooks. He was a 1953 graduate of Polkton High School and a veteran of the United States Army.

He furthered his education at Pfieffer College and later earned a Master of Business Administration from Queens College. He was first employed Abby Manufacturing in Wadesboro, then as County Manager for Anson County, where he was instrumental in the in the development of the county water system, and later worked with W.R. Bonsal in sales for the Eastern United States.

Bill is most remembered for his extensive career with the Town of Polkton. He served as Chief of Police, Town Manager and on the SWAT team (Sewer, Water and Trash), with more than 30 years at the time of his retirement. He also served as an instructor in business education at Anson Community College, now, South Piedmont Community College in Polkton. He attended Polkton Methodist Church.

He was also an accomplished athlete in both high school basketball and baseball and American Legion Baseball. He ran and completed the first Charlotte Marathon and for many years, he ran six miles a day around Polkton.

His family shared many memorable times together at both Ocean Drive Beach and Ocean Isle Beach, as Bill always found immense pleasure in being with his family.

Known for keeping a meticulously manicured lawn, he took considerable pride in his yard work. He crafted the rock wall around their home from rocks taken from both Brooks and Ross homeplaces, and he did it all himself by hand. He also enjoyed various home projects and woodworking.

Of all Bill’s accomplishments, that of being a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather were his greatest to him. His grandchildren affectionately called him Big Daddy.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his high school sweetheart and wife of nearly 67 years, Betty Ross Brooks; their children, Kevin Brooks (Carol) of Denver, Kate Alderson (Mike) of Ocean Isle Beach, and Amy Triplett (Bill) of Murrell’s Inlet; grandchildren, Blaire Johnson (Hunter) of Indian Land, SC, Spenser Spring (AJ) of Charlotte, Summer Powell (Allen) of Ocean Isle Beach, and Rebekah Bennett of Charlotte; great-grandchildren, Camden Spring, Lane Spring, Hayes Powell and Griffin Spring; sister, Katherine Long of Monroe; sister-in-law, Linda Horne of Charlotte and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Bill will be remembered fondly for his bright smile, warm handshake and kind words of encouragement for his fellow man.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Polkton Methodist Church, P.O. Box 36, Polkton, NC 28135.

“Having a place to go is home; having someone to love is family; having both is a blessing.”

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com