Obit of Bradford, William C. - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

Submitted by: Gene Phillips <okarchives@comcast.net>  2 Oct 2005
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Bradford, William C.

William C. Bradford passed away in Oklahoma City on August 11, 2005, after 
a brief illness. He was surrounded by the family he so dearly loved, 
protected and totally spoiled. He was Bill, Daddy, Dad and Grandpa. Bill 
loved to hunt and fish, especially with his Arky brothers-in-law, Joe Bob, 
Jack and Steve, and his claims were mostly true. He became an avid golfer 
and shuttled between OKC Golf & Country Club and La Quinta Country Club in 
Palm Springs with his favorite mixed-foursome partner, Cille. He was 
thrilled with the purchase of a new car, many, many, many times and 
delighted in serving a fine champagne to family and friends. Bill and 
Cille could definitely throw a party. Bill was born December 23, 1923, in 
Anaheim, CA, to William Giles and Johanna Trecker Bradford. He formed the 
Whittier Gang with Jack Wilcox and Ray Zufall and legends were born. He 
graduated from Palm Springs High School in 1942 and attended USC, where he 
joined Theta Xi fraternity. Fortunately, he wasn't Trojan material, and he 
transferred to the University of Arkansas. Upon the early death of his 
father, Bill returned home to Whittier to support his family, but then 
completed his degree in Geology as a Razorback in 1950. It was at 
Fayetteville that he made his greatest discovery, when he met a young 
beauty, Lucille Irvin of Sheridan, AR. He stalked the Kappa house until 
she finally married him on August 19, 1947 in Sheridan, twice. Their 
marriage, lasting a mere 58 years, resulted in two children, seven 
grandchildren and one great-grandson, so far. Bill learned about hard work 
and the oil fields from his father, Uncle Vern and Uncle Lou and worked 
throughout his life finding oil from California to Oklahoma, where he was 
joined in many memorable ventures by his second son, Steve. Bill was 
preceded in death by his parents; uncle Vern Trecker and wife Mary; aunt 
Kay Miller and husband Lou; and aunt Maize Trecker. He is survived by his 
wife, Lucille Bradford, of the home in Oklahoma City; two children, Anita 
Holmes and her husband Steve of Oklahoma City, Dr. Bill Bradford Jr and 
his wife Sherri of Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren, Jeff Holmes of 
Boulder, CO, Allison Holmes, Bill Bradford III, Kevin Bradford, Robert 
Bradford, Amanda Lightfoot and Laci Lightfoot all of Oklahoma City; great-
grandson, Ryder Blackwell; sister Katherine Bradford of Laguna Nigel, CA, 
and her four children; cousin Conrad Trecker of Seminole, OK. A private 
graveside service will be held at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. In lieu 
of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical 
Research Foundation or to the charity of choice.

Published in The Oklahoman on 8/14/2005.
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