Raymond William Bradford Jr.

Our loving father and grandfather, William (Bill) Bradford, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2019, surrounded by close family and friends. Bill was born on October 28, 1930, the eldest son of Raymond William Bradford and Martha Boyle Bradford. He grew up mostly in Salt Lake City and graduated from East High at the age of 16. He attended the University of Utah, eventually graduating in 1957 with a degree in accounting. Bill served
a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Netherlands from from 1950-1953. Bill was obsessed with learning the Dutch language and he loved the people of Holland. One of the highlights of his mission was singing as part of a mission quartet that traveled all through the country performing religious music at various events. He also “cut” several “platters” for the “de AVRO,” the Dutch National Radio Network. The day Bill returned home from his mission he received a draft notice for the Korean War. He was “screened out” from the infantry and sent to Ft. Holabird, Maryland, for counter- intelligence training. He ended up being stationed at Ft. Douglas in Salt Lake City and living in his own room at home. In 1954, while serving in the army, Bill contracted polio in his right shoulder. He lost the use of his right arm but with intensive physical therapy he was able to regain 70% function in that arm. The biggest complication he faced was having to relearn how to play golf and he always counted the many blessings he received as a result of contracting polio in the army. Just before law school graduation Bill married Jane Longson on June 9, 1959 (later divorced). Together they are the parents of six children, 17 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Bill is preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Jane, who was killed in a car accident at the age of two on November 21, 1963. Bill is survived by his brother, Robert (Helen) and his children Todd, Jeff (Becki), Wade (Alexandra), Amy (Randy Croall), and Alison (Ken Staker).
Bill had a love of music all his life. He played the cello, the bass, and the piano. He taught himself to play the ukulele and the guitar. He had relative pitch and participated in multiple bands, barbershop groups, etc. He has been known to say that he cannot live without classical music, especially the Russian composers. He loved golf, his family, chocolate, and his friends and his long time, special friend, of Karen Stone. Bill was known for his exceptional intelligence and also his quick wit and fun-loving personality. He charmed all of the female staff at the Christofferson House into loving him entirely!
We will miss him greatly but we are happy for him that he could move on to the next adventure. We love thinking of him enjoying time with his parents, family members and especially his sweet Susie! We love you Dad!
Funeral services for Bill will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Three Fountains Ward House, 755 Three Fountains Drive. Friends and family may gather from 9:30 am to 10:45 am at the church.