Lee Elton (Bill) Brollier, Jr., 96, peacefully passed away on the 2nd of August 2017 at his home in Mason, Texas. He was a gentle soul, born on August 14, 1920 in Dallas, Texas to Lee Elton Brollier, Sr. and Irma Jean Black Brollier.
Bill grew up in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1939 and from Schreiner Institute in 1942. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corp in the Fall of 1942. Bill served during World War II as a B-24 pilot with the 389th Heavy Bombardment Group stationed in Hethel, England and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in September 1944. His crew was named Element Lead to complete 33 combat missions over France and Germany from August until December 1944. In January 1945, his crew returned to the United States where Bill was assigned as a Mission Pilot at Bombardier School until Honorably discharged in July 1945.
Bill began work for the City of Los Angeles, California as the Recreational Director for Parks and Recreational Department from 1948-1949. In 1949, he returned to Texas to join the family business of Black-Brollier Concrete/Building Materials. He served as Plant Superintendent from 1951-1958. In 1959, he was named Vice President of Black-Brollier, Inc. In 1961, he was placed in charge of production of Perlite of Houston, a subsidiary of Black-Brollier Inc. He was appointed Vice President of Perlite of Houston in 1962 and named President in 1964. In 1966, Bill moved to Rocksprings, Texas where he owned and operated a cattle/angora goat ranch and raised registered Quarter Horses. Bill moved to Mason, Texas in 1974 to continue a cattle and ranching operation and pursue educational opportunities for his children, including a new-found interest in the game of tennis. Bill also served as the Housing and Urban Development Administrator from 1977-1983 and the City Manager from 1983-1985. In 1985, Bill joined a real estate firm in Kerrville. From 1990-1995, Bill managed a quarter horse ranch in Mason until he joined Lange Construction Company in 1995 where he assisted in the estimation of highway construction jobs.
Bill was a member of First United Methodist Church and Mason Tennis Association. He was a past member of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Angora Goat Raisers Association, and American Quarter Horse Association. He was a past member of the Harris County Sheriff's Mounted Posse.
Bill was an avid tennis player and enjoyed his Sunday tennis groups for many years. He played faithfully every week until recently, when his health declined. No matter the task, Bill was quick to offer a helping hand with a contagious smile and a keen sense of humor. He looked forward to his nightly bowl of Blue Bell ice cream and loved it more when shared with his children or grandchildren. Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Elton Brollier, Sr. and Irma Jean Black Brollier.
Bill is survived by his wife Carlene; his children Lee Elton Brollier, III; Lynn Brollier and wife Janet, of Wimberley; Lisa Brollier of Richmond, Diana Bartlett, and husband Lynn of Wellington; Carla Cooley and husband Hunter of Tuscola; and Cody Martin and wife Stacey of Tuscola; his brother Ben Brollier and wife Joan of Houston; grandchildren Jay Bostick and husband Joe of Houston, Taylor Christian and husband Shawn of New Braunfels, Kacy Bartlett Uechi and husband Marcus of Abilene, Walker Bartlett of Abilene, Halle Cooley, Caden Martin, Creed Martin, and Gracee Cooley of Tuscola;4 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Bob Brown and wife Tony of Lufkin and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 224 Broad Street, Mason at 2:00pm, Saturday August 26, 2017.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Meals on Wheels, Mason Volunteer Fire Department, Mason Tennis Association, Hospice of San Angelo or an organization of your choice.