WPTV-TV (NBC) West Palm Beach, FL reports the death of retired General Manger Bill Brooks. He was 76.
Brooks, who had been suffering with cancer, died in Curacao on Saturday (1/16), while he and his wife, Muffy, were on a cruise to the Panama Canal.
The funeral service has been set for Monday, January 25th in Palm Beach.
Bill Brooks had a most unusual career. He first became a Catholic priest, but according to an obituary in the Palm Beach Post, quit the priesthood when the church refused to denounce the Vietnam War. Then, as a broadcaster, Brooks became Station Manager and then General Manager of WPTV, serving as GM for 17 years.
After retiring in 1998, Brooks turned to politics. He was elected to the Palm Beach Council and served for eight years.
“I know of no one who affected as many Palm Beach County lives in such a positive way as Bill Brooks – a priest, a teacher, a broadcaster, a political leader. He served many roles, but his compass always pointed toward community service,” said Brian Lawlor, Scripps Sr. VP of Television in a video posted on the station website.
