Wilson Lonnie Bradley Jr.

Wilson “Bill” Lonnie Bradley, Jr., age 83, of Gastonia, died Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at Gaston Memorial Hospital. Mr. Bradley was a lifelong resident of Gastonia and was the son of the late Wilson Lonnie Bradley, Sr. and Gertrude Mantooth Bradley.

Mr. Bradley was a graduate of Gastonia High School and a veteran of the U. S. Navy during WWII and Korea. He was a lifelong member of Bradley United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Administrative Council, Trustees, Worship, Staff Parish, Building Committee, Finance, Lay leadership and Planning Council committees. He was named Man of the Year from the United Methodist Men and received the Laity Service Award. Mr. Bradley retired as Postmaster of United States Post Office in Lowell and was a member of the National Association of Retired Postmasters and a former recipient of Postmaster of the Year Award. He was a member of the WWII Last Man Club, Lifetime member of Optimist International, member of the Evening and AM Optimist Clubs, and former District President of Optimist International.

Mr. Bradley was a member of the All American City Committee, Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Gastonia, member of the Gastonia Moose Lodge, served as a Youth League Coach for football, basketball and baseball, member of the West Gastonia Committee, and was a Master Gardener and his other hobbies were coin collecting and stamp collecting. After retiring as Lowell Postmaster, he was employed by West End Hardware and Carolina Florist.

Mr. Bradley is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty Dameron Bradley; three sons, Wilson “Bill” Bradley III, Wayne Keith Bradley, Bruce Edward Bradley and wife Donna all of Gastonia; one daughter, Beverly Jean Kellar of Gastonia; seven grandchildren, Ana A. Bradley, Samantha J. Bradley, Ashley E. Bradley, Benjamin W. Bradley, R. Andrew Bradley, Logan A. Bradley, Bren A. Bradley all of Gastonia; one great, grandson, Eli Bradley.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P. M. to 8:00 P. M. Friday at Carothers Funeral Home, Gastonia.

Funeral services will be 11: 00 A. M. Saturday at Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Eric Reece officiating.

Interment will follow at Gaston Memorial Park with military rites by WWII Last Man Club.

Mr. Bradley was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Richard Bradley.

Memorials may be made to: Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1425 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, N. C. 28052

Online condolences may be made at: www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com;