William Earl Bracken, Jr.

William Earl Bracken, Jr. 1934-2004 William Earl Bracken, Jr., 70, of Waco, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at a local hospital. Burial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at Oakwood Cemetery, followed by an 11 a.m. memorial celebration at First Baptist Church of Waco. Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. All who knew Earl knew his greatest loves: first and foremost his family and friends, his church, traveling the world, Texas Ranger Baseball, golf, and any sport ever played at Baylor University. Born January 25th, 1934 to William Earl, Sr. and Alabell Terry Bracken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After attending Waco High School, Class of 1952, Earl obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University in 1956, and his Juris Doctorate in 1958. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1961 and the U.S. Air Force Reserve until his retirement as Lt. Colonel in 1984. For 33 years, Earl served Waco faithfully, beginning as 1st Assistant City Attorney in 1963, and as City Attorney in 1967 until his retirement in 1996. Yet these accomplishments do not begin to adequately reflect his prolific advocacy and participation for which he received numerous awards and for which we are all so proud of him. A few of these include: The Distinguished Service Award - Waco Jaycee’s;Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation;Honorary Life President of the Texas City Attorneys Association;member and board of directors for each of the following professional and charitable organizations: * Advisory, Institute of Local Government Studies of the Center for American and International Law *Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool *The U.S. District Court, Western District, U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit *U.S. Court of Military Appeals, Central Texas Senior Ministry *Camp Fire USA, Tejas Council *Friends of Waco High School With warm affection, Sarah Lou Graves Bracken, wife; your three daughters; Betsy Bracken-Dugan, husband Robert, daughter Annie; Suzanne Cox, husband David, son Bracken, daughter Cali; Sarah Lynn Gamble, husband Steve, son Ben, daughter Allison; Terry brother and Betty Bracken and daughter, Charlyn Bracken Holmes, husband Rob, daughters Ashley and Allison, son Baron; Aunt Violet Miller of Ukiah, California; Uncle Theodore L. Wilson of McAlevy‘s Fort, PA.; Louise Graves Mother-in-Law, George and Judy Graves Brother- and Sister-in-law, Fonda Graves Paxton, husband Joey and daughters Julia and Avery, son Ryan; Berry Graves, wife Laura, and sons George Berry, Gillen, and Grant; and all the numerous cousins, extended family and friends, and all those in Waco whom you have touched. Our gratitude to Dr. Gerry Marroquin, Dr. Web Lowder, Dr. Glenn Haluska, Dr. Wayne Falcon, Dr. Larry Canning, and Dr. Rod Richie for your rich compassion and care. Thank you! We love you, Earl,Dad,Pop, Pop Pop, Brother, Uncle, Smiles, Our friend. Thanks for the memories, your love and commitment, your tears and chuckles, your loyalty, your brave fight and faith in God on the long journey home. Memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations: Central Texas Senior Ministry, First Baptist Church of Waco Foundation, The Earl Bracken Baylor Law School Scholarship and Award Fund, or the charity of your choice.