William W Brinkman

William "Bill" W. Brinkman peacefully passed away, with his son Bill at his side, September 24, 2026 at the WI Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls.

Bill was born November 2, 1932 to Henry and Sylvia Brinkman in St. Cloud, MN. His family moved to Eau Claire, WI, where he graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1951. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduation and served from 1951 to 1956 during the Korean War, feeding hundreds on the USS Moale. He was honored and thanked for his service to our Nation when he participated in Freedom Honor Flight 14 with fellow veterans, to visit their War Memorials in Washington D.C. Bill married Donna Mae Kewin in 1954, sharing 60 years of marriage, countless neighborhood dinner outings, and four wonderful children. As a family they enjoyed traveling to visit relatives, eating at supper clubs, and playing cards together.

Bill worked as a mailman for over 25 years at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He was a kind, Christian, and patriotic man. He volunteered over the years for local groups, including the Boy Scouts, and the Eau Claire Boys and Sundowners Drum and Bugle Corps. Bill was a lifetime member of VFW Post 305, a member of the Honor Guard for funerals and parades, and served as Post Commander from 1973-1974. He thoroughly enjoyed taking long daily walks and meeting folks for a friendly chat. He was a longtime member of St. Olaf Catholic Church and their Men's Club, working their Famous Fish Frys for decades until the end.

Bill is survived by: sons, Bill (Mary Beth) Brinkman of Lake Hallie, WI, Dan Brinkman of Menomonie, Wi, Mark Brinkman of Springbrook, WI, and daughter, Kathy (David) Anderson of Topsham, ME. He has three granddaughters, Mieux Williamsen, Sarah McKenzie, and Samantha Juray, and one grandson, Michael Anderson. He also has five great-grandchildren: Liam and Millie McKenzie, and Porter, Trenton, and Bennett Anderson. Bill has one remaining brother, Richard Brinkman of Columbus, IN, and two sisters: Carol (Ray) Carpenter and Suzi (Paul) Dickens of Greenwood, IN. He was preceded in death by: his wife Donna, both his parents, and his brothers, George Brinkman, Jerome Brinkman, and Wayne Brinkman.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the WI Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Eau Claire, 3220 Monroe Street, with Fr. James Kurzynski officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church, followed by a luncheon. Full military honors will be held at the conclusion of the service at the church. An inturnment will be held at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood Indiana on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM. . In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Olaf Men's Club, VFW Post 305, or St. Francis Food Pantry. Arrangements were entrusted to Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home in Eau Claire. Online condolences for Bill's family may be left at www.lenmarkfh.com.