Willis A Brunson, Jr.

Obituary For Willis A Brunson, Jr.

On Sunday, September 15, 2024 Willis Anthony Brunson, Jr. answered the call of Our Lord and Savior. Waiting at the gate to welcome him into Heaven were his parents Willis (d.2003) & Rosalina Brunson (d.2014), and his dear sister Linda Frances Brunson (d.2021).

Willis Anthony Brunson, Jr. was born on April 22, 1947, in Chicago, IL to Willis Brunson, Sr. and Rosalina Susara Brunson. Two years later, his best friend, Linda Frances was born. Anthony (as the family and childhood friends called him) and Linda were very close. In youth they played games; in old age, they would play games at the casino! They were protective of one another and kept their own secrets from the world. To Anthony his sister could do no wrong, and vice-versa. The two Brunson kids and the three Giles kids two houses down, formed a siblings-ship that lasted their lifetimes.

Tony attended St. Joachim Catholic School and Mendel Catholic High School, where he excelled academically and participated in various activities including playing the flute, tennis, and chess. He was an avid reader, deep thinker, with a particular fondness for Latin and retained more than one would think as he aged. Anthony earned acceptance and began attending Notre Dame University. Being bi-racial, in 1965 South Bend, proved hostile. So, he cut that short and returned to Chicago where he attended South Shore Community College. Ultimately, he earned his BA in Public Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Statistics, from Governors State University, University Park, IL.

While helping his sister Linda move into her dorm in Peoria, IL, Tony met Saundra, a Southern girl from Roanoke, Virginia, who would become the love of his life. They married in June 1968, the day before she graduated from Bradley University.

Tony and Sandy began their life together in Chicago. Sandy started with Chicago Public Schools as a Speech Pathologist; and Willis worked for CTA as a bus mechanic, while selling Prudential Life Insurance. The pair started their family with the birth of Alesia (who Auntie Linda immediately named “Nikki”). Needing more space, the little family moved to a new development in Chicago Heights. There, Willis began his community activism by establishing the Beacon Hills-Forest Heights Community Organization, their first homeowners group. As President, Willis received a memo about nearby Village of Park Forest recruiting candidates for the Police Department. Sandy encouraged Tony to apply. He did and that success catapulted his career.

Soon afterwards, son Willis III was born, then Frederick, and finally Matthew.

Entrepreneur Era …Tony and his two partners bought out the Romanos Pizza location in Chicago Heights to introduce the community to John’s BBQ because at that time there was no BBQ south of Harvey. After closing the BBQ business, Tony opened Frankfort Communication Center, CB/Radio/TV sales. That business expanded into wiring new construction homes with surround sound speakers and intercom systems in Frankfort, New Lenox and the Plum Valley area of Crete. Through that work, he discovered a new development underway in Matteson. They moved.

Ever active… in 1977, in his new community he organized the Apple-Oak Homeowners Association, was elected first chairman of the board, published the association's newsletter called “The Communicator”, and recruited his children and their friends to hand deliver to neighbors thru the 1980’s. As Chairman, he solicited ads for the association newsletter, established block parties, and solicited prizes from local businesses to encourage neighbor involvement. He participated in a housing survey for prospective buyers in the South Suburbs, helped recruit new officers through the Matteson Police and Fire Commission, and in 1997 ran for Village President. While he did not win, he was the first African-American to run for that office and effectively increased voter turnout.

As a Park Forest Police Officer, he earned the rank of Corporal/Assistant Watch Commander, was especially trained and certified in Hostage Negotiations; assigned at various times: as Crime Prevention coordinator, a Juvenile Officer, Tactical Unit, Detective Division, and completed the P.T.I. program at Illinois Benedictine University. While policing, he worked part-time at the South Suburban Family Shelter as the Domestic Violence Intervention Project facilitator. He counseled the men’s group on altering violent behaviors. For 15 years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Park Forest Municipal Employees Credit Union (President 5yrs, VicePres 7yrs.).

Off-duty, Tony had a passion for cars and gadgets, never keeping a car for more than four years. Ensuring his family’s safety was always a priority. He also enjoyed traveling, which led to the purchase of three boats and two campers for family adventures, including summers spent at Wood Haven Lakes. His nephew and nieces especially enjoyed the car games during these summer road trips.

As his children grew, Tony became deeply involved in their education, got elected to the school board of High School District 227, where he held various offices, including Board President. He was a staunch supporter of teachers and students, and he took great pride in personally handing diplomas to each of his children. Ever focused on education, when out with the family at a restaurant, he always asked the student servers which high school they attended and something they liked about their classes and interests.

Having been raised in the Catholic faith, he regularly attended church with his family. There his involvement in St. Irenaeus Parish led to his joining the Knights of Columbus Nina Council 3602. He eventually became their Grand Knight, and also the District Deputy for several other councils in the South Suburban area.

Tony was a quiet thinker, full of creativity and common sense. He channeled this into writing a book, “Between the Amens” which he shared with both old and new friends.

As a Grandfather, his home was always full of treats for the kids! He may have looked gruffy or frowned up… but he was always loving, always listening, and always thinking. You could count on Willis to give you his informed opinion, or another perspective to consider.

Willis Anthony Brunson, generally known as "Tony" is survived by his loving wife Saundra (Lawson); one daughter Alesia “Nikki” Brunson-Dowell (Carmon DaWayne); sons Willis Anthony III, Frederick Christoper (Kimberly); and Matthew “Alex”; nieces Tara S. GreenBey-Johnson, Tonia Pullen (Xavier), and Nadja Burke; nephew William Hickman (Lela); bonus sister Gwen Giles; and five grandchildren Asha and Anya Dowell; Nya, Adriana, and Frederick Brunson, Jr; and one great-granddaughter Aila; and many cousins, and community and church friends that are considered family.