Sgt. Major William Mansfield Braddock Jr., USMC (RET)

With his family by his side, William M Braddock Jr, passed away peacefully in his home on March 16, 2022, at the age of 99, and reunited in heaven with his beloved wife of 48 years, Betty Braddock. “Bill” was known for his patriotism, courage, and selfless dedication towards his family and country being part of the greatest generation who served with honor for our rights and freedom.

In 1940, he joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served his country proudly for 28 years. During WWII he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and served as a Marine Paratrooper at the Battle of Bougainville with the taking of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. He was a part of the first wave of the 28th Marine, 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima. Following the flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi, it was written that this decisive victory would rank with the greatest battle names in our history. At the end of the war, he went on to serve with the Occupational Forces in Sasabo, Japan. He then served in the Korean War with the 3rd Marine Division as 1st Sgt of a 4.2 Mortar Company. Subsequently, his military career included, serving as a drill instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina, a second tour in Japan as a member of the 3rd Marine Division, additional time as DI and I & I duty with a reserve unit, Detroit, MI, Marine Airwing Service duty in Atsugi, Japan, and finally, Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, VA, where he retired from active duty at the rank of Sgt. Major in October 1967.

In 1968, he started his second career assigned as an Athletic Director at NTTC Corry Field until his Civil Service retirement in 1988.

He was an active hunter, outdoorsman, longtime member of Pineville Sportsmen Club and was a coach for the Myrtle Grove Ballpark Community. He centered his life around his family as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He lived a life of faith in Christ, and the belief that the Good Lord guided him throughout. He was a long-standing member of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church.

He was born in 1922 in Mer Rouge, Louisiana, to Clara Belle and William M Braddock, Sr. He is predeceased by his wife and his son James Glenn Braddock. He is survived by daughters Carol B. Brediger (Les), Beaufort SC, Faye Harter, Pensacola, Shirley Martin, Mandeville, LA, and son William Dale Braddock, Pensacola; sisters Dorothy Lucille Goudeau, Bastrop, LA, and Pearl Margie Braddock, Monroe, LA. He is predeceased by brothers Willie Richard Braddock, James Howard Braddock, Thomas Davis Braddock, and sisters Lena Ozella Wallace, Louise Marie Forbes, and Martha Jane Ramsden. He was the treasured grandfather of 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was a dearly beloved patriarch of a large extended family.

Visitation services will be held Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 5 – 7 pm at Oaklawn Funeral Home, 619 N. New Warrington Road. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 am at Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, 5920 Lillian Highway, with graveside service at 1 pm at Barrancas National Cemetery at Naval Airstation Pensacola. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Braddock family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Myrtle Grove Baptist Church.