Bill B. Bradford

Bill was a lifelong resident of Fort Worth. He joined the navy after he married our mother and served two years. He received a victory award and President Truman awarded his naval ship with the Purple Heart.

He then worked for the Katy railroad, but the calling of his pure enjoyment for the game of golf was strong. It was his love and passion and he went on to play many golf courses and become a member of the PGA for 60 years. He taught anyone that wanted to learn and played with members and friends other pro golfers for 70 years. His last round was at 85 years old.

He was the golf pro at Zboaz, Diamond Oaks and Mountain Valley Country Clubs until he received the opportunity to take on the position as golf pro and eventually owner of Bradford’s golf shop at Glen Garden Country club. My dad considered this last post as the most challenging and rewarding years of his life. He was the golf pro at Glen Garden for 26 years.

My dad’s passion for the game was like no other. To be able to teach and share is love and knowledge for the game of golf was like no other. He once told me “How lucky am I that I get to play golf as my career.”

He played with some of the greats, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer. He loved watching Tiger Woods, he said he was one of the best.

One of his last wishes was to be able to swing a golf club. He said he didn’t even care if it was good.

We will greatly miss the quiet and respected man he was. A true “GOLF PROFESSIONAL”, our dad Bill Bradford.

Bill's family would like to extend their gratitude for the palliative care team. Melissa, Nancy and Beth for guiding me and taking such great care of our dad. Special thanks to Christine for being with him his last few days when we were not able to visit and see him any longer.

He was preceded in the passing of his wife, Patricia Curry Bradford. They were married for 34 years and celebrated the birth of one daughter and one son.

Bill is survived by daughter, Diane Bradford Layman and husband Ronald Layman; son, Danny Bradford; special friend and companion of 38 years, Barbara Bradford; granddaughter, Jennifer Sparks and husband Roger Sparks and great grandsons, Orion and Oz Sparks of Alaska; granddaughter, Julie Padierna and husband Manny Padierna and great grandson Roman Bradford Padierna, his namesake, of Watauga; granddaughter, Erica Magee and husband Michael Magee and great granddaughters, Alex and Emma Antillon of Weatherford.