Obituary of William Kenneth Brooks

William Kenneth Brooks, 74, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2015 after a brief, yet courageous battle with cancer. Bill was born on August 27, 1940 in Tacoma, Washington. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma in 1957, attended Pacific Lutheran College but graduated from Western Washington State University in 1963. Bill earned his Masters Degree at San Jose State in 1967. He married the love of his life, Joy Brooks, on June 23, 1963 and they moved to Oakland, California to teach public school for 4 years. In 1967, they moved to Simi Valley, California. Bill taught school in the Simi Unified School District at Center Middle School, Sequoia Middle School and Hillside Middle School for 32 years and retired in 1999. Bill loved photography and belonged to the Thousand Oaks Photo Club. He and his wife spent vacation time on Vashon Island, Washington in their cabin by Puget Sound. Due to his sense of adventure, he and his wife cruised the world, including an expedition to Antarctica. Survivors include wife Joy, three children, seven grandchildren and two spouses; Kenneth Brooks and wife Leslie, Shelly Ramseth and husband Jason, Will Brooks, grandchildren; Ben Brooks, Scott Brooks, Grant Brooks, Gavin Ramseth, Ellie Ramseth, Trenton Brooks and Emersen Brooks. A Celebration of his life will be held at Simi Covenant Church, 4680 Alamo Street, Simi Valley, California 93061, Saturday, August 29 at 3 pm. The interment will take place at Vashon Island, Washington on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Norrona Lodge, Sons of Norway, 14312 Friar Street, Van Nuys, CA 91401.