W. Paul Breasseale

Paul Breasseale passed from this life on the morning of June 10, 2024, at home, surrounded by his family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Inez Breasseale, brothers Billy Ray, Ernie (Nina), and Robert Breasseale; one sister, Pat Breasseale Sanders; and his daughter Tammy (Pete) Breasseale Woodward.

He is survived by his loving wife, Doris Breasseale; his devoted daughter, Connie (Ryan) Breasseale Waldron; and his beloved grandchildren, Reagan, Cassidy, and Maddie Waldron. He is also survived by brothers Keith (Mary Ann), Johnny, and Ricky Breasseale; one sister, Katherine (Bobby) Breasseale Vines; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

A memorial to honor Paul’s life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Legacy Chapel Funeral Home in Madison, Alabama. Visitation will be from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. A brief graveside service at Huntsville Memory Gardens will follow the memorial. 

There’s no way to put into words what he meant to us, and no way to fill his shoes. We miss Pawpaw every day. But where he is now, every day is better than the last. What we really need is not for him to return to us, but for us to spend our remaining days here preparing to go join him. 

The family would like to thank all those who supported them during Paul’s illness with prayers, cards, food, and encouraging words. Special thanks to Dr. Tobin Fisher and his staff, Gentiva Hospice, and Mr. B’s amazing nurse, Lisa.

Paul was born September 8, 1941, to Floyd and Inez Breasseale in Bangor, Alabama. The eldest of 9 children in a farming family, he was driving a tractor by the age of 6, and by elementary school was taking care of his younger siblings while his parents worked. 

Eager to strike out on his own, Paul dropped out of high school and went to work for Hayes Aircraft Corporation in 1957. He held a variety of jobs, and built and traded cars for fun and profit during the next few years. 

In 1962, he met the love of his life, Doris West. Paul knew a good thing when he found it, and they were married almost 2 months later, on June 30, 1962. 

After marriage, Paul first worked an insurance route, then got his GED and successfully qualified for a job with the Alabama Highway Department. From there he began to study engineering seriously, eventually becoming a road and bridge inspector and qualifying as a civil engineer. 

The couple welcomed their first daughter, Tammy, on June 26, 1964. It was Doris’ desire to take their toddler to Sunday school that led them to Elm St. Church of Christ. The preacher there, Dennis Reed, eventually converted both of them, and they were baptized into Christ. 

In 1967, Paul spent a year with Moss Thornton Engineering. But the job kept him on the road most of the time, away from Doris & Tammy, so he rejoined the highway department. 

On Feb 10, 1970, Paul and Doris welcomed their second daughter, Connie. In August, they moved from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa. 

In 1975 Paul went to work for Jim Walter Resources. Over the next 10 years he held a variety of supervisory positions, first above-ground and eventually below-ground as a long-wall foreman. In 1986, he was injured by falling machinery, and reluctantly forced to retire from mining. 

After retiring, Paul spent more time on Bible study and reading. He devoted years of this period caring for his in-laws through long periods of terminal illness. He also resumed his old pastime of car trading, in the process becoming good friends with several local dealers. 

He was always helping somebody. It might be finding them a good car or fixing theirs, giving them a ride to church, buying them lunch, or fixing problems at their house, but he constantly had somebody else’s problem in mind. 

He and Doris fed legions of college students in their home over the years. Their house was a friendly place people felt welcome to come to. 

Paul was a lifelong Alabama fan (Roll Tide!), and was always generous with advice for the coaches, refs, and players. He loved music, especially the blues. He enjoyed baseball and the Atlanta Braves until the players' strike made him swear off the game. He loved to golf and bowl, excelling at both. He liked shooting sports, and was an excellent shot. He loved to fish and to relax in the shade at the beach, watching and listening to the waves. 

He was generous with his time and knowledge, always thinking and contemplating, and enjoyed discussing almost any subject. He never met a stranger and made friends everywhere he went. He could talk to anyone from any background, finding something in common in every conversation. He used this gift often to bring conversations around to the Bible, for he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. 

Paul enjoyed working and his hobbies, but his favorite pastime was always his family: being with his wife, being with his girls, and being with his grandchildren, who adore him. 

There’s no doubt he’s making the most of his new home, but keeping an eye on those pearly gates for his loved ones to arrive.