William Bradford Jr

William Davis (Bill) Bradford, Jr. passed from this life to a better one Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 7:50 a.m. at Southgate Nursing and Rehab in Metropolis, IL. He suffered with Alzheimer's disease and kidney failure.

Bill was born in Huntsville, AL, June 5, 1940 to William Bradford, Sr. and Budell Griffin Bradford. At the age of nine they moved to Collierville, TN. He graduated from Germantown High School in 1958. Received his Bachelors and Masters Degree in music from Memphis State University. In 1963 he started his teaching career at Fayette Co. High School in Somerville, TN. It was during this time he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Slayton, at White Station Church of Christ in Memphis. They married May 15, 1965 and their son, Billy and daughter, Beth were born while living in Somerville. In 1970 the moved to Bolivar, TN where Bill was Band Director at the Jr. High then Bolivar Central High School. In 1975 they move to Kentucky and took the band director position at Reidland High School. After retiring in 2000 he taught band and choir at Massac Jr. High in Metropolis, Il for one year and Livingston, KY for one year. He also coordinated student music teachers for Murray State University. In all Bill taught 36 years. Bill was a member of the Reidland Lions Club and served one year as president. He was the Director and Assistant Director for the Kentucky All State Lions Club Band.

Bill was a avid fisherman. He loved to fish day or night. He had many fishing buddies. He loved to teach and fish with his son, grandson, and son-in-law and even taught his daughter and granddaughter to fish. He fished tournaments and the B.A.S.S. Circuit.

Bill was a faithful member of the Broadway Church of Christ in Paducah. During his Christian walk he served as Song Leader, Bible Teacher, Deacon, Elder, and Life Group Leader.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Slayton Bradford, one son, William Davis(Billy) Bradford, III and wife Jennifer, one daughter, Beth Bradford Lane and husband Michael. One granddaughter, Madison Elizabeth Lane and one grandson, Ryan Michael Lane. Two Bradford nephews, Richard and wife Lorraine and Bobby and wife Michelle, of Collierville, TN. Two aunts, from Huntsville, AL and many relatives on his wife's side. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Mr. Dan Owen officiating. Entombment will follow in the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah and after 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015 at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to, Broadway Church of Christ, 2855 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001 or to the New Pathways for Children, 3311 Shaw Road, Melber, KY 42069.

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