Wallace Brueckner

Wallace (Sonny) Joe Brueckner

In Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon reminds us, “There is a time for everything under the sun……A time to be born.” The time for Wallace Joe Brueckner’s birth was on May 4, 1932. He was born to the parents of Bessie Jarolim and Wallace Carl Brueckner. His younger sister, could not pronounce “Wallace”, so he became known as “Sonny”.

Solomon continues in Ecclesiastes as he describes the seasons of life:
A time to plant
A time to build
A time to weep
A time to laugh
A time to be silent
A time to speak
A time to love

Sonny’s seasons of life were centered around Taylor, TX where he was a life time resident. His work history started with a paper route, and continued on with jobs at the nickel and dime store Duke and Ayers, the cotton gin, and taking trash out at Brewster’s TV shop.

After graduating from Taylor High School, he enlisted in the Air Force where he worked as a radar tech. While stationed in Biloxi, he played baseball on an Air Force team. Once he was flown to Florida to pitch, compliments of the U.S. Air Force. When he was discharged in 1955, he returned to Taylor and went to work for Brewster’s TV. He eventually became a partner, and finally owner of BRB Co. where he sold and serviced electronics.

On June 16, 1956, Sonny married Ann Smith, the girl next door, at First Baptist Church. He was baptized three times; sprinkled as a baby, immersed at First Baptist Church to satisfy man and then again after he was saved to please the Lord.

He took a big part in community activities; he was a member of the Lions Club and Jaycees. He held the positions of secretary, treasurer, and president. He worked for years at the Taylor Rodeo, coached Little League softball, served the City of Taylor for thirteen years as a Commissioner, and two years as Mayor. He even earned the job of playing Santa Claus at Christmas. He worked and marched against drugs with “Turn Around Taylor”. It was a rewarding experience with meeting and having his picture made with the then current Texas Governor George W. Bush.

His community service also included the quiet acts of kindness. While delivering Meals on Wheels, Sonny became friends with a woman whose yard had been invaded with egrets. He would go to her home and clean her sidewalk and driveway, so she could come outside.

After retiring in 1992, he spent time gardening at the community plots, helping with grandchildren, taking people to doctor appointments, making hospital visits, playing golf, and playing 42 with friends.

On garbage days, Sonny felt compelled to drive around looking for discarded items he could put to use, such as, old wood to make great bird houses, porch columns to use for angels. Broken fans were repaired and given away to people in need. On one occasion he turned an old door into a headboard.

As a mentor for MAPS, he was recognized for five years of service to the children at Naomi Pasemann Elementary school.

Sonny was a member of First Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as a deacon, held different areas of leadership, and was on the search team for a former pastor.

He felt blessed to be a part of his church family. You could find him singing in the choir, greeting families for MDO, or ringing the bells at Christmas for the Salvation Army. He spent many hours washing dishes and cooking for Wednesday night meals as well as funeral meals, He worked at Vacation Bible School chopping vegetables for the hospitality room or preparing 300 hotdogs for the VBS family night.

Sonny had great compassion for people. He was a caregiver with Stephen Ministries and he made a difference in people' lives. One time, along with his son, he helped packed up a woman and her baby and drove them to the bus station in Austin to get away from an abusive husband. On another occasion he drove to San Antonio to pick up a missionary who would have had to spend the night in the bus station otherwise.

On a mission trip to Mexico, he worked alongside a grandson to help others know more about Jesus. Many times he supported grandchildren and others going to camp and mission trips.

While working for the Williamson County Appraisal Board in Georgetown, he became friends with a fellow worker by sharing Jesus.

Of course, his compassion and love extended in a special way to his life time partner Ann. He enjoyed leaving her a rose on the car seat or a love note taped to the steering wheel for her to find after school.

Solomon reminds us of our final season in life as he writes “There is a time for everything……..a time to die.”

Surrounded by his family at home, Sonny went on to heaven on Monday, January 26, 2015, at the age of 82.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, their five children, thirteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Devvie Gibbs, Pam Stabeno and husband Lloyd, Mike Brueckner and wife Kim, Michele Vanecek and husband Tom, and Barbara Talavera and husband Mando all of Taylor. Grandchildren; Kristi Suchomel and husband Tony of Lexington, Casey Burkhart of Burnet, Patrick Stabeno of Taylor, Cassie Samuelson and husband Jordan of Hutto, Alex Brueckner of Taylor, Aaron Vanecek and wife Audrey of Austin, Paige and Tyler Vanecek of Taylor, Zach Talavera of College Station, Taylor, Zane and Gray Talavera all of Taylor. Great-grandchildren; Luke, Charlie and Graceann Suchomel of Lexington and Hudson Wallace Vanecek of Austin. Sister, Betty Ann Streid and husband Carl of Taylor. Sisters-in-law, Geneva Irby and husband Doug of Lexington, Bonnie Elliott and husband John of Athens, TN. Brother-in-law, Jack Smith of Lexington. And many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents as well as a granddaughter, Angela Lee Burkhart.

He was a man who went quietly about his business being Jesus’s hands and feet.

He was a man who cried over his past mistakes and was amazed by God’s love and presence.

He was a man who spent the best part of his life growing into the man who God can say ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1pm on Sunday, February 1st at First Baptist Church, 701 Davis St, Taylor, TX.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 701 Davis St, Taylor, TX 76574.