Billy Brown Bradley of Orange, TX passed away peacefully at his home on December 31, 2023. He was born June 16, 1932 to Brownie Everett Bradley and Flossie Finetta Hayes Bradley in Pineville, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Curtice Lee Bradley and Wilbur Hayes Bradley.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Ruth Marie Bonebrake Bradley, his daughter Brenda Bradley Sloan and husband David of Rogers, AR, son Ron Bradley and wife Cheryl of Orange, TX, son Randall Bradley and wife Rebeca of Troup, TX and son John Bradley of Seabrook, TX. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Misty Bradley, Aaron Bradley and wife Emily, Elizabeth Cassi and husband Michael, Tucker Bradley Sloan, Jessica Bradley, Tasha Bradley, Joshua Bradley and wife Laura, Joseph Bradley and wife Emmali, Jonathan Bradley and wife Mackenzie, and Jason Bradley. In addition, Bill is survived by 10 great-grandchildren.
Bill worked as a young man in his father’s car dealership and garage in Pineville, MO and developed a life long love of automobiles. After his marriage to Ruth in 1951, they moved to Seminole, OK where Brenda and Ron were born. Bill worked in a car dealership when he first arrived in Seminole, but later went to work for Gulf Oil on a pipeline. In 1955, he moved his young family to Orange, TX where he began employment with DuPont. Bill enjoyed his years working in various positions there until he retired as an electrician with over 30 years of service. During his years at DuPont he became involved with the DuPont Employees Credit Union, serving first on the Supervisory Committee and then on the Board of Directors. Bill served about 40 years with the credit union as it grew to several locations and changed its name to Sabine Federal Credit Union. Bill was instrumental in many building projects throughout his life – and was always willing to lend a helping hand to his church, neighbors, and family. He taught his sons and grandsons many skills by sharing his talents. He had an inventor’s mind and was incredible at building things and figuring out how to make things work. (He was a humble man and never realized how smart he was – but his family knew!)
Bill loved the Lord and committed his life to Jesus as a young man. He was very devoted to his family and had an excellent work ethic. He loved his family, friends, church, and church family. Everyone that knew him enjoyed his quick wit and his gift of telling a good story.
Bill will be missed by many that hold him dear, but we know that we have not lost him – this is a temporary separation while is in the presence of the Lord. His family and church will honor Bill with a celebration of his life on January 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM, with visitation to begin at 10:00 AM at the First Church of the Nazarene, 3810 MLK Jr Dr, Orange, TX.
Serving as pallbearers will be Aaron, Tucker, Joshua, Joseph, Jonathan, and Jason. Honorary pallbearers are Men’s Prayer Group.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Church of the Nazarene at 3810 MLK Jr Dr, Orange, Texas.