Obituary
Former Congressman Billy (Bill) Kent Brewster passed away peacefully at his home in Marietta, Oklahoma on October 3, 2022, surrounded by his family and closest friends. He will lie in repose in the Oklahoma State Capitol on Thursday, October 6th from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with a short program at 1:00 p.m. A visitation will follow from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Flanagan Watts Funeral Home in Marietta. A celebration of his life is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7th at Crystal Rock Cathedral in Ardmore. Interment will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery in Marietta.
Bill was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on November 8, 1941, the son of Grady and Rachel Mayo Brewster. He graduated from Petrolia, Texas High School in 1959 and then attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University, earning his B.S. in Pharmacy in 1965. On July 27, 1963, Bill married Mary Sue “Suzie” Nelson and celebrated their 59th anniversary this summer.
Bill and Suzie built Colleyville Drug in Colleyville, Texas, and he served as Chairman of the Grapevine-Colleyville Hospital Board; the Grapevine-Colleyville School Board. Bill and Suzie moved home to Marietta in 1977. They had three children.
In 1990, on the day that Bill and Suzie announced his campaign for the U.S. Congress, two of their children, Kent (13) and Kecia (16) were tragically killed in a private plane crash along with two other family friends. Such an unimaginable tragedy could have destroyed the lives of other parents and spouses, but Bill and Suzie found the faith and strength to survive and continue their lives of service to others. On January 31st, buoyed by the support of yellow-shirted “Brewster Boosters,” they began their journey to win the third Congressional district seat in Congress.
Bill served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1982 to 1990 and in the U.S. Congress from 1991 to 1997. One former colleague said, “Bill Brewster made more friends in a short period of time than any Member I have ever known—he was known as a national leader on energy issues and was deeply respected by both Republicans and Democrats alike. His early appointment to the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee reflected the respect he earned among his colleagues.” In 2018 President Trump appointed Bill as Chairman of the federal International Wildlife Commission.
After retiring from Congress in 1997, Bill built a successful political advocacy business that helped clients navigate the public policy debates in Congress and the Administration. The team Bill built at Capitol Hill Consulting Group is following his example and continues to operate with the same high standards and ethics set by their founder.
Bill was known both in Oklahoma and throughout the country as a champion of sportsmen and conservation. He used hunting to help wounded warriors rebuild their lives after combat and to help kids from all backgrounds learn values from being in the outdoors. Bill served in many volunteer positions and received numerous awards. Among them were: Congressional Legislator of the Year in 1993 from the Safari Club International; President of the Shikar Safari Club; NRA Board Member for 20 years and Chairman of the NRA Foundation Board; Chairman of the Oklahoma Angus Cattlemen’s Association; Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus; Member of the International Wildlife Commission; and Member of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission (2016-2022). He and Suzie hunted in more than thirty countries on six continents and encouraged all his family and countless friends to experience the joy of hunting and the outdoors. Suzie joined him on most of his hunts and went on many hunts on her own or as mentor to young women. Suzie won the prestigious Diana Award from the Safari Club International in 2011. Bill and Suzie’s passion for hunting and conservation was recognized when they received the Peter Hathaway Chapstick Hunting Heritage Award.
Bill’s titles and accomplishments could fill many pages, but it was the person and his values that endeared him to countless friends in Oklahoma, Texas and across the country. One friend said, “Bill brought life and a love of people everywhere he would go. He would light up a room with his always positive attitude and caring for others, whether they were presidents or everyday working folks.”
As much as Bill dedicated his life to public service, his first love was always his family. In Congress, “BillandSuzie,” became one word. One colleague said, “We couldn’t ever think of Bill without thinking of Suzie—they had the strongest bond of any husband and wife I have ever known—they walked side by side through life’s greatest joys and tragedies.” They were not only deeply devoted to each other but also to their daughter, Karel, and their 10-year-old grandson, Braxton. One of Bill and Suzie’s greatest joys during Bill’s year-long fight against cancer was to take their grandson, Braxton, hunting in South Africa in July of this year followed by a Florida shark fishing trip.
Bill lived life to the fullest – even in the final days. He was discharged from MD Anderson on Monday, September 26th, to return to his home in Marietta. This week was a blessing for Bill, his family, and his friends. Cogent and alert, Bill and Suzie received visits from dozens of friends and family each day along with countless phone calls. Bill was spiritually, emotionally, and mentally at peace. As he held Suzie close, his last words were “I love you.”
Bill was a teacher at heart. He mentored so many young people, making their lives better. He and Suzie contribute annually to scholarships for Marietta High School graduates and Southwestern Oklahoma State School of Pharmacy.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Grady and Rachel Brewster, son Bradley Kent, daughter Betsy Kecia, and grandson Brewster Kaden Bradford.
Bill is survived by his wife, Suzie; his daughter, Karel; and his grandson, Braxton Billy Kent Brewster.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to: The Brewster Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 368, Marietta, OK 73448.
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