Brent was born on July 28, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Olive and Harold Gwillim.

He is survived by his wife Judy; his mother-in-law Lois Kirkpatrick; his sons Todd (Susie) of Tucson, AZ, Brad (Miew) of Tokyo, Japan, and Ryan (Morgan) of Elmhurst, IL.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Lauren and Marshall Gwillim, Emerson, Finley, Harper, and Reese Gwillim, Ryan Darko (Lauren) and Nathan Darko (Josie), his niece Pamala Coady (Jim) of Sarasota, FL, nephew Chad Eby (Amy) of Chandler, AZ, and many beloved cousins.

Brent was preceded in death by his son Kirk (Karmen), his sister Tara Eby, his parents, and his father-in-law George Kirkpatrick.

Brent graduated from Alton High School, Bradley University, and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri College of Law. He was a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity where he made lifelong friends. Brent’s entire career was spent at Heyl, Royster, Voelker and Allen. He loved the practice of law, his coworkers, his partners, his support staff, and his clients.

Brent participated and was a leader in many professional associations, including being the Chairman of the Corporation and Securities Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association, and Chairman of the committee which created and assisted in the adoption of a new Illinois Supreme Court rule limiting liability of attorneys practicing in Illinois. Throughout his life, Brent was a statewide speaker on a variety of legal and business topics and also spoke and created seminars for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education.

Brent had many leadership positions on community and philanthropic boards, including serving as the Chairman of the Tri-County March of Dimes, President of the Peoria High School Band and Orchestra Parents’ Club, President of the Peoria High School Boosters, and sitting on the board of First Federated Church and the Country Club of Peoria.

Memorials may be made to the Hult Center for Healthy Living, 5215 N. Knoxville Ave, Peoria, IL 61614; Richard L. Owens Hospice, 8630 IL Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615, or First Federated Church.

Brent was a devoted husband for 57 years, a loving father who was a role model for his sons, a caring son-in-law, and a fantastic friend. He will be remembered for his kindness, his humor and wit, his strength, and his faith in God.