William Austin Bradley, 78, of Wayside, WV, passed away Saturday morning, December 20, 2014, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Sweet Springs, WV, on December 25, 1935, a son of the late Ottie Clarence and Mamie Lee Carper Bradley.
Austin was a farmer, a retired Monroe County deputy sheriff, and founder of the band, Austin Bradley and the Tri-County Cutups. He loved playing music and entertaining people; was quick with a smile; and he had a nickname for everyone. He had many, many sayings, and two of his favorites were, “You’re looking good” and “Keep your powder dry.” Austin enjoyed riding and showing horses, hunting, and playing music. He lead the Alderson 4th of July parade and played for the dance for many, many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Glemma Morgan Bradley; a son, William Alan Bradley; three brothers, Luther Bradley, Charlie Bradley, and Cleveland Bradley; and three sisters, Mary Bradley, Catherine Sams, and Christine Johnson.
Surviving are four brothers, Eugene Bradley and wife, Frances, of Gaithersburg, MD, Robert Bradley and wife, Charlotte, of Ronceverte, WV, Marion Bradley and wife, Betty, of Pickaway, WV, and Carl “Joe” Bradley and wife, Barbara, of Alderson, WV; one sister, Marie Erskine and husband, Kester, of Caldwell, WV; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at the Groves Funeral Home Chapel in Union, WV, with the Rev. John Wyatt officiating. Burial will follow at the Mt. View Cemetery at Sweet Springs.
Friends may call at the funeral home in Union from 6-8 PM on Monday, December 22.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Greenbrier Valley Chapter of Hospice at 1265 Maplewood Avenue, Lewisburg, WV 24901, or the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1779, Newport Beach, CA 92659.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so by visiting www.grovesfuneralhome.com.
Groves Funeral Home is serving the Bradley family.
Obituary originally published in the December 22, 2014, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
