William Brennan

William J. "Bill" Brennan, devoted husband and father passed away on Saturday morning February 25th 2012 with family at his side. In the sorrow of his passing, his family is comforted by the love and support of a shared faith and the knowledge that he is free and at one with the glory of his God.

Bill Brennan was born on December 30, 1927. A Jersey boy from Atlantic City, known affectionately by his mother and father as Billy, he spent his youth among a large extended family on the beaches and Boardwalk of that town when it was in its prime. Growing up as the son of William P. Brennan and Crescentia Grogan Brennan, the hard times of the depression era were part of his life but never limited the joy he experienced as a youth. Bill attended Villanova University along with his brother Timothy Brennan and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He served in the Air Force and while stationed in the Boston area met and married his beloved wife Miriam Knight Brennan. Bill and Mim were married for 58 years and shared 4 children who collectively were the center of his world, his reason for living and the joy of his life. In the joint raising of their four children, Bill enjoyed being involved in all of his children’s school activities and supported their efforts through successful completions of college degrees.

A humble Catholic, Bill was a member of St John Vianney Catholic church for over 40 years where he served as a founding member of the community, a parish council president, a religious education instructor, a Eucharistic minister to the aged and was devoted to perpetual adoration. He shared the beauty of his faith with his children and grandchildren. Bill had a great love of music and played banjo, ukulele, piano and sang and particularly enjoyed his time in the spotlight with the St John Vianney Virtuosi. His love of music lives on in his children and grandchildren.

Bill’s successful career spanned 6 decades. He began with Air Force as a liaison to the Army Corp of Engineers but quickly moved into corporate life and was with ExxonMobil in sales, marketing and management for 33 years. ExxonMobil brought him to Houston and he remained an enthusiastic Texan. Not one to rest on his laurels, or rest at all for that matter, with the energy of a man twice his junior he continued his career with Holland Chemical Inc and MasterRank, both foreign based companies. This allowed him the opportunity to travel extensively in his later life spending time in both Europe and China.

While Bill accomplished much in his lifetime, he would always point to the achievements of his children and grandchildren and the abundant love of his family as being what meant the most to him. He is survived by his wife Miriam Knight Brennan of Houston Texas, and his four children, Nancy Janet of Atlanta GA, Peter Brennan of Charlotte NC, Kate Shetrone of Cypress TX and Paula Brennan of Houston TX and Washington DC. He is also survived by his brother Timothy Brennan of Florida. His Spirit will continue to smile with joy on his five grandchildren, Laura Janet, Reese and Kerri Shetrone and Shannon and Ryan Brennan.

The life of Bill Brennan will be celebrated with a mass at St John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas 77079 on Saturday March 3 at 1:00 pm. A reception for friends and family will follow in the church hall.