Willis Anthony Brunson Jr

--- Page 1 --- CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF BRUNSON April 22, 1947 - September 15, 2024 --- Page 2 --- n Sunday, September 15, 2024 Willis Anthony Brunson, Jr. answered the call of Our Lord and Savior. Waiting at the gate to welcome him into Heaven were his parents Willis (d.2003) & Rosalina Brunson (d.2014), and his dear sister Linda Frances Brunson (d.2021). Willis Anthony Brunson, Jr. was born on April 22, 2947, in Chicago, IL to Willis Brunson, Sr. and Rosalina Suszara Brunson. Two years later, his best friend, Linda Frances was born. Anthony (as the family, and childhood friends called him) and Linda were very close. In youth they played games; in old age, they would play games at the casino! They were protective of one another, and kept their own secrets from the world. To Anthony his sister could do no wrong, and vice-versa. The two Brunson kids and the three Giles kids two houses down, formed a siblings-ship that lasted their lifetimes. Tony attended St. Joachim Catholic School and Mendel Catholic High School, where he excelled academically and participated in various activities including playing the flute, tennis, and chess. He was an avid reader and deep thinker, with a particular fondness for Latin and retained more than one would think as he aged. Anthony earned acceptance and began attending Notre Dame University. Being bi-racial, in 1965 South Bend, proved hostile. So, he cut that short and returned to Chicago where he attended South Shore Community College. Ultimately, he earned his BA in Public Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Statistics, from Governors State University. While helping his sister Linda move into her dorm in Peoria, IL, Anthony met Saundra, a Southern girl from Roanoke, Virginia, who would become the love of his life. They married in June 1968, the day before she graduated from Bradley University: Tony and Sandy began their life together in Chicago. Sandy started with Chicago Public Schools as a Speech Pathologist; and Tony worked for CTA as a bus mechanic, while selling Prudential Life Insurance. The pair started their family with the birth of Alesia (who Auntie Linda immediately named "Nikki"). Needing more space, the little family moved to a new development in Chicago Heights. There, Willis began his community activism by establishing the Beacon Hills-Forest Heights Community Organization, their first homeowners group. As President, he received a memo about nearby Village of Park Forest recruiting candidates for the Police Department. Sandy encouraged him to apply. He did and that success catapulted his career. Soon afterwards, son Willis III was born, then Frederick, and finally Matthew. Entrepreneur Era ...Tony and his two partners bought out the Romanos Pizza location in Chicago Heights to introduce the community to John's BBQ because at that time there was no BBQ south of Harvey. After closing the BBQ business, Tony opened Frankfort Communication Center, CB/Radio/TV sales. That business expanded into wiring new construction homes with surround sound speakers and intercom systems in Frankfort, New Lenox and the Plum Valley area of Crete. Through that work, he discovered a new development underway in Matteson. They moved. Ever active.... in 1977, in his new community he organized the Apple-Oak Homeowners Association, was elected first chairman of the board, published the association's newsletter called "The Communicator", and recruited his children and their friends to hand deliver to --- Page 3 --- neighbors thru the 1980's. As Chairman, he solicited ads for the association newsletter, established block parties, and solicited prizes from local businesses to encourage neighbor involvement. He participated in a housing survey for prospective buyers in the South Suburbs, helped recruit new officers through the Matteson Police and Fire Commission, and in 1997 ran for Village President. While he did not win, he was the first African-American to run for that office and effectively increased voter turnout. As a Park Forest Police Officer, he earned the rank of Corporal/Assistant Watch Commander, was especially trained and certified in Hostage Negotiations; assigned at various times: as Crime Prevention coordinator, a Juvenile Officer, Tactical Unit, Detective Division, and completed the P.T.I. program at Illinois Benedictine University. While policing, he worked part-time at the South Suburban Family Shelter as the Domestic Violence Intervention Project facilitator. He counseled the men's group on altering violent behaviors. For 15 years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Park Forest Municipal Employees Credit Union (President 5yrs, VicePres 7yrs.). Off-duty, Tony had a passion for cars and gadgets, never keeping a car for more than four years. Ensuring his family's safety was always a priority. He also enjoyed traveling, which led to the purchase of three boats and two campers for family adventures, including summers spent at Wood Haven Lakes. His nephew and nieces especially enjoyed the car games during these summer road trips. ALWAYS THE THINKER, HE WAS QUIET AND FULL OF CREATIVITY AND COMMON SENSE LOGIC. As his children grew, Tony became deeply involved in their education, got elected to the school board of High School District 227, where he held various offices, including Board President. He was a staunch supporter of teachers and students, and he took great pride in personally handing diplomas to each of his children. Ever focused on education, when out with the family at a restaurant, he always asked the student servers which high school they attended and something they liked about their classes and interests. Having been raised in the Catholic faith, he regularly attended church with his family. There his involvement in St. Irenaeus Parish led to his joining the Knights of Columbus Nina Council 3602. He eventually became their Grand Knight, and also the District Deputy for several other councils in the South Suburban area. Tony was a quiet thinker, full of creativity and common sense. He channeled this into writing a book, "Between the Amens" which he shared with both old and new friends. As a Grandfather, his home was always full of goodies for the kids! He may have looked gruffy or frowned up... but he was always loving, always listening, and always thinking. You could count on Willis to give you his informed opinion, or another perspective to consider. Willis Anthony Brunson, generally known as "Tony" is survived by his loving wife Saundra (Lawson); one daughter Alesia "Nikki" Brunson-Dowell (Carmon DaWayne); sons Willis Anthony III, Frederick Christoper (Kimberly); and Matthew "Alex"; nieces Tara S. GreenBey-Johnson, Tonia Pullen (Xavier), and Nadja Burke; nephew William Hickman (Lela); bonus sister Gwen Giles; and five grandchildren Asha and Anya Dowell; Nya, Adriana, and Frederick Brunson, Jr; and one great-granddaughter Aila; and many cousins, and community and church friends that are considered family. --- Page 4 --- ORDER OF SERVICE MUSICAL SELECTION OPENING PRAYER Fatber Ron Kondziolka LITURGY OF THE WORD Gwen Woullard First Reading Second Reading READING OF THE OBITUARY in silence MUsICAL SELECTION RESOLUTIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REMARKS (please limit to 2 minutes) MUSICAL SELECTION EuLoGy RECESSIONAL --- Page 5 --- SUUu --- Page 6 --- TONY, Your life was full of loving deeds, gifts, flowers, and surprises to me in my favorite colors. We created a beautiful family and so many memories! I will miss you my love, my friend, my partner. Rest in peace until we meet again. Always SANDY --- Page 7 --- FOR POP... Nothing changes because I'm still your oldest granddaughter. You still will live through my intellect and critical edge. Yours and my endless questions and resolutions. Your observations and reactions. Your loyalty and your wit. My mother, your daughter. My leadership, your legacy. ASHA POP WAS AWESOME... he helped me figure out some things when I needed help. He taught me a few things when I was 5 or 6 and he was fun to be around. FRED JR POP... Thanks for always asking questions and being yourself. You had a lot of interesting stories and facts. You made me laugh and you were really encouraging. Love you always, NYA --- Page 8 --- "I'M FREE" Don't grieve for me for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me I took his hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play Tasks left undone must stay that way, I've found that peace at the close of day If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things I too will miss Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow My life's been full, I've savored much, Good friends, good times, my loved one's touch If my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief Lift up your heart, rejoice with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. ~ Author Unknown ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS He will be greatly missed by his family, his remaining childhood friends, his many community friends, his church friends, and professional associates. We are all grateful to have known him and to have shared the years he spent with us on this earth. The family is so thankful for all the prayers and hugs, and for the love and help shown to him by the doctors, nurses and the team at Franciscan Olympia Fields Hospital (esp Derwin Phillip, M.D. and Vernell Johnson III, M.D.), his primary care physician, his regular nurses, specialists, and his home care health team. Thank you everyone.