Papaw

Bill W. Bradford, 84, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully at home Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, surrounded by his family. Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Mount Olivet Chapel. Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Olivet. Memorials: May be made to copdfoundation.org. Bill was born April 10, 1930, in Fort Worth. He ran a mail route between Dallas and Amarillo for 27 years and retired from the road in 2001. He drove many miles and made many friends along the way. He never met a stranger and never failed to make you smile with one of his many stories. Bill lived life to the fullest. Heaven has gained a giant-hearted family man. He was preceded in death by his father, William Otis Bradford; mother, Margaret Bradford; and sister, Marie Fairley. Survivors: His loving wife of 65 years, Martha Bradford; son, Steve Bradford and wife, Donna, of Pilot Point; daughters, Kathy Rainwater and husband, Frank, of Fort Worth and Anita Dane and husband, Mike, of Haltom City; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and one on the way; two nephews; and one niece.

Sunday afternoon after church, October 5, we got the news that Papaw had passed away. Even though he had COPD and had been sick for awhile, we were still surprised when he started getting worse and then when he passed away. Randy got on a plane that night and flew to Ft. Worth to help with plans. The girls and I stayed home so that Kendall could go to school on Monday, and then we drove up Tuesday to meet him. The visitation was Tuesday night and his funeral was Wednesday. Randy officiated the funeral and he did such a wonderful job of honoring his Papaw and caring for his family.

Wednesday before the service, there was a big meal at Mamaw's house for all the family. I was able to get a picture of a lot of the great-grandkids eating together.

Calli and Oliver loved watching this little clock that Mamaw had on her t.v. stand!

Papaw always wore Big Mac overalls, every day of his life except for maybe our wedding days. So, in his honor, all his grandsons and pall bearers wore his overalls. Randy even officiated the funeral in his "Papaw overalls."

While we were at the funeral, the girls went to Great Granny's house and Alden and Great Granny played with them. They did all the things they love doing at Great Granny's: had a tea party, colored, read books, played with the Noah's Ark and with some dolls Granny has.

It was a fast trip - we headed back home Wednesday night after the funeral - but it was good to be with our family and remember our Papaw together.