Obituaries
Obituary for William Bill Brinkman
WILLIAM BILL BRINKMAN, 67, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away on May 12, 2016, in Gilbert, Arizona after a lengthy illness. He was born on March 15, 1949, in Clinton, IA, to Doris and Wilbur Brinkman of Garden Plain, IL. He grew up in the Fulton area and graduated from Fulton High School in 1967. He was a Steamer through and through and proudly displayed a Steamer flag at his lumberyard.He graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb with a degree in business in 1971. He worked at Brinkman and Pessman Lumber Company with his father from 1971-1982 when he started Brinkman Building Center in Fulton IL. Bill gave generously of his time and resources. Bill knew life was a gift and paid it forward long before it was a popular thing to do. He never sought the limelight but when a person gives so much it is hard not to notice. Bill was recognized by many area organizations including:Fulton Kiwanis Club: 1993 Outstanding Achievement for Business Expansion Award, 2003-4 President, 2003 and 2013 Volunteer of the YearFulton Chamber of Commerce: 2000-2003 Board Member, 2008 Volunteer of the YearClinton Area Chamber of Commerce: 2007-08 Small Business Person of the YearRiver City Chamber of Commerce: Progress AwardHabitat for Humanity Clinton County: 2014 and 2015 Recognition of Generosity Award and the Golden Shovel Award for his 5-year partnership with this organizationFulton High School Athletic Program: 1993 Support of the Program recognitionIllinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association: President, 2005 Lumberman of the YearGrand Marshall of the Fulton Dutch Days Parade 2000Bill"s other community involvements included being a member of the board of directors of First Trust and Savings Bank and member of the Albany Lions Club. The entire Brinkman family is appreciative of the talented and dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. They treated Bill and Gaile like family, rejoicing over his improvements and weeping with them during the setbacks. The family is very grateful for all the prayers and support of friends and community members.No matter what awards he received, Bill was most grateful to be Gaile"s husband and father to Niki (Todd) Ofenloch of Wellesley MA and Matt (Coe) Brinkman of Austin TX. Grandchildren Henry, Isabel, William and Eleanor Ofenloch were brilliant stars in his life. He loved them all so much. Gaile was his friend and confidant. He was so proud of his children and their spouses. Bill is also survived by his sister, Ruth Brinkman of Long Island NY and brother, Ken (Mary Ann) Brinkman of Darien IL. Bill was preceded in death by his parents.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2016 at the Garden Plain Presbyterian Church in Fulton, ILOFFICIATING: Ronald H. KoehnVISITATION: 3-7 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral HomeINTERMENT: Lusk Memorial Cemetery " Albany, IL
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FUNERAL SERVICE: 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2016 at the Garden Plain Presbyterian Church in Fulton, ILOFFICIATING: Ronald H. KoehnVISITATION: 3-7 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral HomeINTERMENT: Lusk Memorial Cemetery " Albany, IL
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