WILLIAM BEN BRASFIELD, SR

William Ben Brasfield, Sr. was born on August 29, 1942, in Terryville, Texas to the late

Aaron Brasfield, Sr. and Alta Fay Stewart Brasfield and raised in Gonzales, Texas. He

received Christ at an early age at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.  William

graduated from Edwards High School and continued his education at St. Philip’s

College, completing the Automotive Program. 

William had an affinity for fixing things at an early age and knew that he wanted to be a

mechanic like his father, who owned Brasfield’s Garage, a wrecker service and repair

shop in Gonzales, Texas.  At just 14 years old, he fixed a car radio on his own, sparking

an even stronger desire to join the ranks of talented mechanics like his father.  As a

young boy, he worked alongside his father in Brasfield’s Garage, gaining invaluable

experience that would later lead to a job as a mechanic at Ford Motor Company in San

Antonio after completing his education at St. Phillip’s College. 

After being offered a partnership in Brasfield’s Garage, he decided to return to work

alongside his father and gladly took on a larger role in helping run the business. 

William’s work ethic and talent were unmatched, as he was on call 24 hours a day,

seven days a week, leading a group of senior and junior mechanics and running the

daily operations of the business. 

William was able to balance his daily work in the business with his favorite hobby—drag

racing. He was a fierce competitor on the drag racing scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s. 

William and his father used their deep knowledge and creativity to build cars that won

him many trophies at events in San Antonio and surrounding areas.  On occasion, the

tires of his race cars would hug the streets of Gonzales when the desire to go fast led to

a spur-of-the-moment race.

After over 25 years of being a staple of the community of Gonzales and surrounding

areas, diagnosing problems honestly, repairing vehicles with care and skill, and always

giving people a fair and truthful opinion about their cars, William decided to close the

business and move to San Marcos, Texas.  He applied all the skill sets he gained over

the many years of working as a mechanic and being a business owner to the job

opportunities in San Marcos.  William enjoyed working and received perfect attendance

for eight consecutive years.  He retired from Thermon Manufacturing in 2020.

He married Sur Franner Alice Mathis in 1963, and from this union four children were

born.

William went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 83 years

of age. He is preceded in death by his former wife (Sur Franner Alice Mathis); parents

(Aaron and Alta Fay Brasfield); sister (Wessleen James); brother (Leonard Roy

Brasfield); son-in-law (Danny Armelin Sr.); sisters-in-law Clara Fryer, Florence Fryer,

Willie Mae Dyer, Dorothy Mathis, Lawanda Mathis, Bessie Wallace, Josie Stevens,

Reene Mathis, and Gracie Mathis; and brothers-in-law Walter Mathis, Ross Mathis,

Edward “Son” Mathis, Elias “Koochie” Mathis, Topsy “Bubba” Mathis, Haywood James,

Norman Dyer Sr., Winston Fryer, and Frank Fryer.

He leaves to cherish his memory: daughters—Fenita Brasfield, Alice Brasfield, and

Kristie Amani (Paris); son—William Brasfield Jr.; grandchildren—Danny Jr. (Nellie),

Khevin (Deagha), Ashleye (Antonio), Shanice, Shawn Jr. “Tyshawn,” Danny III, Shanta,

Amare, Ares, Neah, Apollo, Dyanie, Aniko, Asari, and Dehlani; siblings—Kathleen Ellis

(Joe), Clarese Thornton, Reverend Aaron Brasfield Jr. (Alma Jean), and Ida Mae Jones

(C.L. Jones); sisters-in-law Magalene Mathis and Maxine Brasfield, as well as a host of

nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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