SOUTH HADLEY — A memorial service held on Wednesday in South Hadley honored the life of William Brunault, who was killed early last week in a motorcycle crash in Holyoke.
According to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Brunault, 66, was struck at the intersection of Lyman and North Bridge streets on the afternoon of Aug. 25. Brunault was taken by first responders to Holyoke Medical Center, where he later died.
Brunault’s daughter, Carly Rae Brunault, said that her father was known as a “free spirit” who loved motorcycling and traveling across the country. His biking adventures included off-road races, charity events and traveling to motorcycle events in Daytona, Florida, and Sturgis, North Dakota. Brunault worked as a professional welder in the automotive industry, customizing bikes and vehicles for friends, and also enjoyed tending to his home garden.
“He was very kind and welcoming to everyone that he crossed paths with,” Carley Rae Brunault said. “He could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was always talking to people, and he just had a way about him that would make you feel welcome.”
She said Brunault, known as “Willard” or “Bill,” made a lasting influence and impact on her own life, inspiring her to take many cross-country trips of her own including hiking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. She also had matching tattoos with Brunault of a Harley-Davidson engine.
“I just feel like we have the same soul, and craving for adventure and travel,” she said.
The memorial service was held at the O’Brien Funeral Home in South Hadley. The event was well-attended, with many who came into contact with Brunault over the course of his life showing up to pay their respects. A celebration of life is also scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Patti’s 410 Lounge in Chicopee.
“There were people that only crossed his path a handful of times and they just said they couldn’t not come through and offer respect,” Carly Rae Brunault said. “There was someone who came through who said ‘your dad painted my bike 20 years ago.’”
A GoFundMe has also been set up to support the family of Brunault, organized by several of his biker friends. As of Thursday, the fund has raised more than $11,500.
“We’re very overwhelmed by all the support we’ve been getting,” Carly Rae Brunault said. “It just shows how popular he was.”
The incident that resulted in Brunault’s death remains under investigation by the Hampden DA’s Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit in conjunction with the Holyoke Police Department.
Bill lived and cared for his mother, Patricia Breunault, and was a devoted father to his three children, Billy Jr., Carly, and Miranda, whose names he proudly wore as tattoos, according to his obituary, which said, “Bill passed away while doing what he loved most, riding his beloved Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a passion that defined much of his adventurous, free-spirited life with his smiling blue eyes.”
