William Bruns

William Bruns, 81, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully with his daughter Chrissy by his side and loved ones nearby on January 22, 2024 after his battle with congestive heart failure.

Bill was born on June 17, 1942 to his mother Frances in Brooklyn, New York and was later adopted by Edward Bruns when his mother remarried. After Bill graduated from Calhoun High School in 1960, he went on to study business at Hofstra University first earning bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in 1973, and later earned a PMD at Harvard University in 1982. Bill was also a Sergeant in the Army Reserve after college serving in Fort Hood, Texas.

In 1968, Bill had a daughter, named Christine (Chrissy) Woods who had two daughters Victoria (Tori born 1999) and Annabelle (Belle born in 2001).

He started his first job at Grumman Corporation on Long Island, New York in 1966. He then went on to become President of Grumman Emergency Products in Roanoke, Virginia until 1992, then Simon LTI until 1995, and United Plastic Fabricating until his retirement in 2013. During his career, Bill helped forge many alliances through various associations, to help build federal attention to the needs of the fire industry. Some of Bill’s most treasured friendships came from his work life and participation in associations like the Fire Apparatus Management Association where he earned the first and only (to date) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

In 2013, Bill retired and moved to Vero Beach with his companion Cherie to be near his mother, Frances. He spent his free time playing golf and started the Men’s Golf Association (MGA) in his community, Pointe West. In his continued dedication and respect to the United States, he secured funds and established the first American flag pole on the course as well.

Beyond all of his achievements and accolades, Bill will be remembered most for his sharp sense of humor and lightning fast wit. He loved music, cars, and would not say no to an offer for a dinner out with family or friends, or his favorite guilty pleasure, ice cream. Over the course of his lifetime, he was an avid bowler, tennis player, and golfer. At different times in his life, he lived with his family in Isfahan, Iran, enjoyed traveling to sunny destinations, boating and spending time at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia, which will be his final resting place at the family vacation home there.

Bill was predeceased by his father Edward and his mother Frances. He is survived and will always be treasured by his daughter Chrissy Woods and her significant other Ryan, as well as Bill’s two granddaughters Tori and Belle Woods. He will be missed dearly by his partner Cherie, who was more than just a great friend, travel companion, and golf partner, as well as their many friends in the Pointe West community.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests favorite moments with Bill be shared below in the “Leave A Condolence” section, or a donation can be made to Bill’s favorite charity Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org).

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.