William R. (Bill) Bradley, 73, a longtime resident of Jerome who recently moved to Pine, Idaho, passed away Oct. 17, 2013, at the VA hospital in Boise, Idaho, with his family by his side.
Bill was born June 13, 1940, in Flagler, Colo., the son of Oral F. and Elnora M. Bradley. He had one older brother, Fredrick (Fritz). He was raised and educated in Flagler and later moved to Wendell, Idaho where he graduated high school in 1958.
While serving in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1964, he met Tessa Mary Jones from London, England, who he married in 1960. Upon his return from the service, Bill worked on several farms in the Jerome area. He visited his Uncle Jay Strode in Nevada, helping round up cattle on the family ranch. In 1966, he and Tessa purchased a farm east of Jerome, where they grew potatoes, wheat, alfalfa, and raised beef cattle until 1980. During this time, they had three children, Holly, James and Leah.
Bill had many hobbies, including coaching his kids in softball and baseball, earning many trophies along the way. He organized numerous golf tournaments, where fun was had by all who attended. Bill also loved to fly, gaining his pilot’s license in 1975, and later started an airplane maintenance business at the Jerome Airport, before going on to the construction business as a general contractor. In addition, Bill was an active member of the Snake River Elks Lodge 2807, and received the distinguished “Idaho State Elk of the Year 2003.”
In 2001, he married Debra Glauner of Hagerman, Idaho. They lived in Jerome and enjoyed their summers in Pine, where they eventually moved to permanently. They enjoyed riding their four-wheelers, fishing and golfing together.
He is survived by his wife, Debra; his daughter Holly (Jeff) Ross of Jerome; son James Bradley (Lacie Thompson) of Bellevue; daughter Leah (Mike) Broman of Hailey; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild on the way; two stepchildren, Ashley (Brian) Dubois and Joshua Glauner; four step-grandchildren; and two nieces and several cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother.
Bill was a wonderful father, husband and friend to many people, and to those who knew him, he most always had a smile on his face—Captain Happy!
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Snake River Elks Lodge, 412 East 200 South, Jerome.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Elks Rehabilitation Hospital, P.O. Box 1100, Boise, Idaho 83701.
There will also be a celebration of life on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. at the Pine Resort in Pine, Idaho.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Farnsworth Mortuary of Jerome.
