William Brosier

Biography William S. Brosier, 86, passed away May 24, 2011, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Bill was born in Flint, Michigan. His parents moved to Fort Myers, Fl. in 1926 where his father, Dyke opened the first Firestone Store. He graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1942 and attended the University of Alabama. He was a member of the Million Dollar Band. He entered military service in the fall of 1943 and was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division at Camp White Oregon. He served through basic and amphibious training prior to shipment to the South Pacific Theater. He fought in the battle for Leyte and Okinawa. He married his high school sweetheart, Louise Lynch in 1945 and they returned to the University of Alabama to complete his education as a Mechanical Design Engineer. He was employed by N.A.C.A. the precursor to N.A.S.A. at Langley Aeronautical Research Center in Virginia. Two of is most significant accomplishments were his design of the current aircraft landing gear and his involvement in the preliminary testing of rocket state separation systems. He was a member of Hampton Presbyterian Church and served as Head of Ushers. He later transferred to Kennedy Space Center. After retirement from N.A.S.A. he worked 10 more years for Boeing. He served as a member and secretary of the Cocoa Beach Planning Board for 26 years. He prepared the initial Cocoa Beach Comprehensive Plan. He was a member and Deacon of Riverside Presbyterian Church. He also was a member of the volunteer auxiliary at Cape Canaveral Hospital. His wife Louise, daughters Deborah Williams of Coker, Alabama and Barbara Brosier (Taylor Watson), Tuscaloosa, Alabama survive him. He is also the grandfather to Barbara Straughn (K.C.) of Northport, Alabama, Jason Williams (Haven), of Tuscaloosa Alabama and John Williams of Northport, Alabama. He has eight great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 till 8 PM Tuesday, May 31st at Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach. Funeral Services will be held 2 PM Wednesday, June 1st at Riverside Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery in Winter Haven with full military honors. In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to be made to The Haven for Children (P.O. Box 327 Melbourne, Fl. 32902-0327) and Riverside Presbyterian Church. You may sign his guestbook at www.beckman-williamson .com.