James William Brothwell

James William Brothwell, 89, of Mesa, AZ died October 18, 2016 at the Morning Star Memory Care Home. Jim was born to William and Susanne Brothwell on August 6, 1927 in Milwaukee, WI. For 13 years he lived in Wauwatosa, WI. The family then moved to Libertyville, IL where he graduated high school. He enlisted in the US Navy 1945-46 and served on the battleships Alabama and the Massachusetts. Following the Navy Jim attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA where he studied accounting and business. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Fraternity, and sang in the Choir and Men's Glee Club. He had to leave in his Junior Year to seek employment when his GI bill money expired. Jim moved to Chicago and was employed at the First National Bank of Chicago in their trust department. During his three years at FNB, he was moved to different departments learning all facets of operations, investments, fiduciary tax, corporate trust, and stock transfers. On June 23, 1951 Jim married his childhood sweetheart, Phyllis Rae Toepfer of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin who had kept in touch with him through the years. "Sandbox to Altar" was their wedding theme. Wanting to get into the commercial side of banking loans and deposits, he accepted a job in a small bank in Libertyville, IL as Assistant Cashier and Head Teller. At age 25, he was elected Treasurer of the Lake County Bankers Federation. In 1954, Jim and Phyllis moved to Fort Myers, FL where they built a duplex on his retired parents property. He went to work at the First National Bank and Phyllis did substitute teaching.. In 1955, son John was born followed in 1959 by son Charles. Jim loved his boat and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. This was curtailed for three summers when the bank sent him to the University of Virginia, plus extension work during the rest of the year. He graduated in 1959 and moved from the Installment Loans Department to head the Trust Department. In January 1963 the family moved to Mesa, AZ as son Charles had allergy asthma issues. Jim worked for United Bank for 20 years and decided to retire as vice president at age 55. Jim actively served in several organizations including president and life member of Sertoma International, vice chairman and chairman of the Arizona Bankers Association, ten years as Assistant Scout Master of Boy Scouts, chairman of the American Cancer Society drive, president and chair of several committees for Mesa United Way, served in office of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, six years on City of Mesa Library Board, president of Mesa Rotary International, participated many years in the Mesa YMCA membership drive, president of the Mesa Industrial Development for eight years, and active member of First United Methodist Church. Upon retirement, he enjoyed traveling the world. He is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis. His survivors include son John and wife Carol, son Charles and wife Shirley, and grandchildren Jennifer and husband Nolan Sand, Julie, Ryan and wife Torie, and Lindsey.