William Freddie “Fred” Bradley, age 80, passed away on November 24, 2023 in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was born on December 23, 1942 in Danville, Virginia, the son of Otis Henry Bradley, Sr. and Virginia Mann Bradley Shelton.
Fred attended George Washington High School in Danville. He was a proud Mountaineer at Appalachian State University (ASU), graduating with both undergraduate and master’s degrees. He excelled in wrestling and soccer at ASU, qualifying twice for the national collegiate wrestling championships. After starting a family in Glassboro, New Jersey, where he worked at then-Glassboro State College (GSC), he took time to earn a doctoral degree from Middle Tennessee State University before returning to GSC, now Rowan University. Fred was a faculty member in the Health and Physical Education Department for nearly 40 years, serving as the wrestling coach for many years. Some of the greatest joys of his life include spending time laughing and reminiscing with his siblings; and the relationships he developed with former classmates, teammates, and student-athletes. He spent many years volunteering with Odyssey of the Mind, influencing thousands of competitors from around the world. His favorite past times were reading the dictionary and completing logic games; recalling the joys of teaching; telling jokes; and the love he shared with both his daughter, Stephanie, and his wife, Rosemary. Fred had an easy laugh and a big heart, and he will be greatly missed.
Fred is survived by his loving wife, Rosemary Green of Bentonville, AR; daughter, Stephanie Bradley of Harrisburg, NC; and sister, Patricia Bradley Burnett and husband, Michael Coleman, of Danville, VA. He was predeceased by his father Otis Henry Bradley, Sr.; mother Virginia Mann Bradley Shelton; sister Mildred Bradley Hobbs; and brothers Dennis Lee “Sonny” Doss, Jr., Otis H. Bradley, Jr., and James L. “Snookie” Bradley and wife JoAnn Bradley.
At Fred’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to honor his life be made by check to either Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy, Bentonville, AR 72712 (nwacircleoflife.com); Creative Opportunities Unlimited, c/o Dennis Godfrey, PO Box 253, Philomont, VA 20131 (creativeopportunities.org); or the Elizabeth Mason Scholarship Fund, C/O Mindy Hunt, 1012 N Dogwood, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18