Bill Brumley 1948-2024

Bill Brumley passed away peacefully at his home on May 24, due to complications from COVID-19. He fought his final battle as he did all others: with grace and grit.

Bill was born Feb. 4, 1948 in Houston. He grew up in Princeton, where he graduated from Princeton High School in 1966. He worked for 25 years as a lineman and technician at Southwestern Bell. This always made him a hit at school career day, when he’d drive up in his company truck and give the kids bucket lifts as if he ran a carnival ride for a living. Bill was a hard worker who took pride in a job well done, and he instilled this ethic into his children and their children.

In 1977, Bill met the love of his life, Laurie Champion. They had one hell of a roller coaster ride and shared three different wedding anniversaries to prove it. Bill and Laurie traveled the world together, and lived in Princeton, Denton and Alpine, then San Diego, Calif. They moved to Davie, Fla. in 2021 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Bill treasured Laurie until the day he died. If you were lucky enough to have seen him dance with her, you knew you’d landed on the page of a great love story.

For many years, Bill was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was often greeted by locals with questions related to deer and catfish. He was an amazing poker player and was winning hands even in his final weeks. Bill was active in Little League baseball and passed his love for the sport onto the kids he coached. He was a faithful Texas Rangers fan. Though he struggled with Alzheimer’s in his later years, he was unfortunately unable to forget game six of the 2011 World Series. A fan for his entire life, he finally got to see the Rangers take it this past fall.

He loved his family forever and always and never let a day go by without telling them what they meant to him, whether in his words, actions or on a note left near the coffee pot for one to find first thing. He is missed by those who knew him, and his memory lives through those who loved him.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Brumley, and his father, John Willis Brumley. He is survived by his two sisters, Shirley Mayfield (Clif Mayfield) and Brenda Martinez; his wife, Laurie Champion; daughter, Brooke Berkson (Kobi Berkson); son, Billy Brumley; and granddaughters, June, Rivka and Ruth. Bill’s beloved boy Blue, tail wagging, was surely waiting at the gates for him, ready for their next adventure.

A memorial will be held at 12 Stories Coffee, 206 McKinney St., Farmersville, TX 75442 on Sunday, June 23, 2-4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Little League (littleleague.org).