Nov. 21, 1938 – Nov. 3, 2024
William M. Bradley, 85, of Rochester, passed peacefully on Nov. 3, 2024, at Woodlawn Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on Nov. 21, 1938, in Rensselaer, to Erve and Alva Reffit Bradley, William grew up grounded in the values of hard work, integrity and humility. On Jan. 29, 1968, he felt the unmistakable call to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. While serving, William earned a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with five Bronze Service Stars and a Vietnam Campaign Medal with a 60 Device, carrying out his duties with courage, resilience and an unwavering sense of duty. His time in service not only marked him as a patriot, but also deepened his understanding of sacrifice and unity, values he carried with him throughout his life.
In 1970, William met Lindyl Ellen Cyrus, the love of his life, at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. Their connection was immediate and profound, and on Nov. 28 of that same year, they committed to walking life’s path together. Over their 53 years of marriage, they built a life rich in companionship, gratitude and shared purpose, grounded by love, laughter and countless cherished memories. William’s journey also led him to diverse roles: as a dedicated dairy farmer, a professional truck driver for Pike Lumber Company, and he eventually retired from Lobdell-Emery. In all his jobs, he found not only work but purpose, embodying patience, persistence and the quiet satisfaction of a day’s honest labor.
In his free time, William was drawn to simple pleasures, perhaps because he recognized the sacred in simplicity. He found joy in reading Western novels and the Bible, which reminded him of life’s larger story, and he spent hours restoring Farmall tractors and cutting wood — both labors of love that mirrored his dedication to the land and the value of hard work. Each task, whether big or small, seemed to center him, inviting him to see the wonder woven into each moment.
Those left to cherish William’s memory are his devoted wife Lindyl of Rochester, his daughter Jennifer Berkshire and her husband Karl of Royal Center, and his daughter Amy Andrews and her husband David of Rochester. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, who have undoubtedly welcomed him into the boundless peace that awaits us all.
In his life, William Bradley was a gentle reminder to those who knew him of the beauty in service, the strength of steadfast love and the quiet grace found in simple, purposeful living. To honor his memory is to remember the divinity within ourselves and to live with an open heart, ready to answer life’s call in whatever form it may take.
A celebration of the life of William M. Bradley is at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, with an additional visitation from 9-10 a.m. prior to the service. Pastor Terry Baldwin will officiate, and military honors will be rendered at Rochester IOOF Cemetery. A separate visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, from 4-7 p.m., all at the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St. Rochester, IN 46975. Those wishing to send electronic expressions of sympathy may do so at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
