Bill J. Bradley; 1931-2025

Bill J. Bradley passed away Dec. 14 after a lengthy illness in Wichita Falls, TX.

Bill was born June 3, 1931, in Electra, TX, to Raymond Jack (Rusty) Bradley and Lois Cheney Bradley. He graduated from Electra High School in 1948. He then attended Oklahoma A&M College graduating with a degree in animal husbandry in 1953.

Upon graduation from Oklahoma A&M (which later became Oklahoma State University), he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army serving in Korea. He was discharged as a captain in February 1955 while continuing to serve in the Army Reserve until final discharge in 1959.

Bill married Minnie Lou Ottinger on March 5, 1955, and purchased a ranch in Childress County that became known as Bradley 3 Ranch where he and Minnie Lou settled until his retirement in 1997. In 1956, Texas Christian University’s first ranch management class was hosted by Bradley 3 Ranch, which is one of two ranches to have hosted them annually for all of their 70 years of their program.

Angus cattle were added to the ranch in 1957, and Bill spent 40 years innovating and adding to the ranch. In 1957, he was recognized by the Childress Chamber of Commerce as the top young rancher/farmer in Childress County. In 1960 he was elected president of the West Texas Angus Association and in 1973, president of the Texas Angus Association. He was elected to the board of the American Angus Association in 1974 where he served a three-year term.

He served as a director of the First Bank and Trust of Memphis Board from 1970 through 1987 and on the board of the Texas A&M Experimental Ranch. Bill enjoyed being involved in various ranch-related boards and making friends. In his retirement years, he was active at the Vernon, TX, Western Trail Cowboy Church and truly enjoyed his time there. We want to thank the wonderful staff at the Gables of Rolling Meadows for their continued kindness and care of Bill in his later years.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Lou Bradley; his son, Monte Jack Bradley; his parents, Rusty Bradley and Lois Bradley; and nephew, Joe, Miller. He is survived by daughter, Mary Lou Bradley Henderson and husband James; grandson, Raymand Jack Bradley and granddaughter, Mandy Ann Popejoy; sister, M.K. Miller; nephews, Phil, Pete and Johnny Miller; along with great-grandchildren and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Bill’s honor in care of James Bradley, president of Beaver Creek Cemetery, 13104 St. James Road, Vernon, TX 76384.