NORFOLK,VA/GANSEVOORT

ET1 Petty Officer 1st Class William “Will” J. Bruso, 29, went to his eternal deployment early Monday morning on March 27, 2017.

While serving on active duty for the last 11 years, he taught a new generation of sailors through hard work and dedication that anything is possible.

Born September 14, 1987 in Glens Falls,NY, he was the son of Barbara Bruso and the late Glenn Bruso.

From an early age, he enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together. This skill continued all his life. As he got older, he had an interest in many different sports teams such as the Adirondack Lumberjacks, Adirondack Frostbite, and others. Basketball was his sport of choice to participate in during high school. Will spent his summers working at the Great Escape in parking.

In September 2005, Will enlisted in the United States Navy through the delayed entry program. He graduated from South Glens Falls High School in June 2006 and on August 30, 2006, Will headed to boot camp at Great Lakes, IL. He went through his electronics training in Great Lakes and graduated in May, 2007. His next trainng station was in Gulfport, MS for instruction on repairing weather stations and antennaes.

On July 2007, he reported to the USS Theodore Roosevelt in Norfolk,VA and began a five year career on the aircraft carrier. The USS Theodore Rossevelt was deployed to the Middle East/Afghanistan. This deployment was Will’s first trip around the world and his first time in combat. He received multiple Navy achievement medals and attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class.

In February 2011, Will married his wife Shanara in Yorktown, VA. By September, 2011, Will accepted a teaching position at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL. He became a Master Instructor and taught many sailors at the schoolhouse for the next three years. By the time he left Great Lakes, Will attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class. Will’s final assignment was on the USS Bainbridge in Norfolk VA where he went on his second deployment to Africa to fight pirates on the Mediterranean Sea. He maintained the ship’s electrical system. He set high standards as an example for everyone on his team.

Will was always willing to help anyone who needed a hand. He volunteered for many charity events such as running relays and 5Ks for Relay for Life, building homes for Habitat for Humanity, and donating bone marrow for a fellow Navy Veteran. Will was passionate about everything in his life. Will was not only a shy, kind and generous man, but also wore the Navy uniform proudly to serve his country.

In addition to his father, Will was predeceased by his grandparents, Marie and Norman Bruso, and his grandfather Arthur Senter.

ET1 Bruso is survived by his wife Shanara Bruso, his adopted daughter Tatianna Reese, his mother Barbara Bruso, his sister Carly Premo, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and a large extended Navy family.

A church service was conducted on April 6, 2017 and a Military Service on April 7, 2017 in Norfolk VA.
A service will be conducted at a later date in Glens Falls, NY.

ET1 William Bruso will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hudson Falls American Legion Post 574, 72 Pearl St, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.

Local arrangements are in the care of the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. To leave condolences please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.

SHIPMATE YOU WILL BE MISSED.