Billy Wayne Middlebrooks

Billy (Bill) W Middlebrooks

It is with deep sadness to inform you that Bill Middlebrooks passed away on July 4th.  We lost our beloved husband, father, brother and Uncle Bill (UB).  Bill grew up in Lakeview, Oregon. He loved his life in Lakeview.  He shared a close personal and working relationship with his dad, Floyd.  They worked hard and did a lot together.  Bill had many lifelong friends and made enduring memories with them, from riding go-carts with Mickey Stephens out to Drews Reservoir, to “playing music” at the Indian Village, Hunters Lodge, the Eagles and Elks. 

Bill, with his sister Carolyn, mom and dad (Alma and Floyd) would drive from Lakeview to Oklahoma during the Christmas Holiday to spend time with their Middlebrooks relatives. A lot of fond memories and funny stories came from those adventurous trips.  Bill loved God and his family. He had a deep passion for music.  He wrote and recorded many songs over the years in several different recording studios.  Bill loved the touch of a horse, the smell of a horse and being horseback. He was in his element when showing cutting horses.

He loved baseball and he shared a lifelong bond with Trent from conversation to coaching to spectating to eating a hot dog at the ballpark.  For several years he worked tirelessly coaching the teams Trent played on and improving the Babe Ruth Field in Lakeview.  Bill enjoyed watching an occasional Beavs game at Goss Stadium in Corvallis and always said we needed to do it more often.

Logging was a way of life for Bill.  He looked forward to getting to the woods before daybreak and drinking a cup of coffee while warming things up for the day.  Bill loved to work and prided himself on seeing a job through to completion regardless of the weather or how bad he felt.  A job well done was important to him.  He worked hard and when asked if he was ready to go, he would often reply “if you’re waiting on me, you’re backing up.”  Bill transitioned his logging prowess into a small excavating business.  For him it felt similar to his passion for logging. 

Bill worked as a lawman for several Sherriff’s Departments over the years including: Lake, Sacramento, Douglas and Klamath Counties. It was while working in Klamath County that he met and married the love of his life, Tracey. Bill will be remembered by his close friends and family as driven. While working at the Klamath County Sherriff’s Department as the swing shift, staff sergeant and patrol officer he managed to do some additional logging.  At the same time, he and Tracey built their dream home just outside of Merrill.  Bill was ambitious to say the least.

Bill and Tracey enjoyed going to Lake Shasta each summer with family.  Mike and Sherry Markus, Trace, Lindsay and later Macy Clemens, Jeff, Booie and later Mya and Koy Mauch and Robbie and Ashley West. They all had such great times renting a patio boat for a couple of days or a houseboat for a long weekend. Bill did not enjoy extended travel with the exception of going to see Trent, driving to Reno and heading to Las Vegas for the NFR. One of the most indelible travel experiences was a flight to Australia.

Bill and Tracey were on a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia on 9/11/2001.  Little did they know it was the last flight that would leave LA for a while.  They were going to see Trent when the terrorist attacks occurred in New York and DC.  All future flights out of LA were grounded.  That experience reinforced Bill’s desire to stay close to home.  However, that didn’t stop the regular trips to Yakima to go see Trent and the grandkids.

Bill was both pleased and reassured that Trent and Paula (Derra) got married New Years Eve 2021.  Bill had known Paula’s dad Glen since being bunk mates in boot camp.  When Bill moved to Merrill the friendship was rekindled.  He passed knowing that Trent was in good hands and that his daughter-in-law was already part of the family.

Bill loved to go “catch up” on the latest news at Merrill Lumber and have a cup of coffee with his friends.  However, that was always after he and Tracey had theirs planning the day while it was still dark outside.  They shared the love of their home and took great pride in taking care of it, making it beautiful and comfortable.  The two of them made a great team and remained the wind at each other’s backs until Bill’s passing.

Bill is survived by his wife Tracey, his son and wife Trent & Paula Middlebrooks, Grandchildren Josie Middlebrooks and Wil Middlebrooks, “Sister” Sherry Markus, Sisters-In-Law, Jody (Jim) Weigel Janet (John) Cuff, Nephews Tony Montgomery and Damon (Michelle) Deter, Nieces Lindsay (Trace and Macy) Clemens, Booie (Jeff, Mya and Koy) Mauch and Ashley (Robbie) West and numerous other relatives. There will be a memorial service for Bill on Saturday, August 5 at 1:30 PM at New Horizon church. The family requests no flowers and suggests any donations be made in Bill’s name to The Merrill Fire Department.

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