Dwight Ward Brooks, 89, of Charleston, died December 6, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, after a short illness. Dwight was born in Ripley on December 5, 1923. He was a graduate of Webster County High School and attended West Virginia Wesleyan College. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and served with the U.S. Army Air Force for the duration of World War II as an aerial machine gunner with the 490th Bomb Group stationed in Eye, England. Dwight was awarded a Bronze Star for acts of heroism and merit in the combat zone. After the war he returned to West Virginia, where he married Helen Wanema Parsons in 1946 at Bias Chapel, Pocatalico. The couple settled in St. Albans. Dwight was employed first by Kanawha Machinery in 1948, then by Union Carbide Corporation as a laboratory technician at the South Charleston Technical Center from 1950 until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in St. Albans until he and Wanema moved to Florida in 1989. Their marriage lasted 62 years.
Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. Thomas Edward and Bertha Wright Brooks; wife, Helen Wanema Parsons Brooks; son, Steven Dwight Brooks; sisters, Katherine Brooks Mills and Wauline Brooks Woodford; and brothers, Thomas Edward, Herbert Vinton, Samuel David, Reynolds Price and Arlo Paul Brooks.
He is survived by his daughter, Beverly Anne Brooks (Norman) Steenstra of Charleston; sisters-in-law, Mary Kathleen Alkire Brooks, Virginia Rahal and Barbara Watson; brothers-in-law, Kermit E. Parsons and Nicholas Rahal; nieces and nephews, Wilma Jean Woodford Hanback, Dr. John Herbert (Susan) Brooks, Vivian Flynt, Carol (Michael) Tregelia, Kay (Joe) Koch; Dr. Andrew (Sandy) Brooks, Dr. Arlo Paul (Nancy) Brooks, William David (Kathryn) Brooks, Mary Elisabeth Brooks Whitley, Sandy Parsons Windom, Kim (Jeff) Cabot, K.E. Parsons Jr., Nicholas N. Rahal, Vincent (Lisbeth) Rahal, John (Lisa) Watson and Michael (Candace) Watson; cousins, John (Susan) Tinney and Libby (John) Garten; and many great-nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Sissonville. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Garden of Memories, Sissonville.
Friends may visit beginning at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army.
Dwight was a man filled with humor, generosity and humility. He served his country and lost his hearing completely as a result; he worked cheerfully to provide for his family; he loved large; and enjoyed the life he was given to the fullest. His family and friends are thankful for the blessing of his life and love.
Condolences may be shared by visiting www.longfisherfuneralhome.com.