William Edward “Bill” Bradford

Wamego – Memorial services for William Edward “Bill” Bradford, 83, Wamego, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Private inurnment will be at McLouth Cemetery. Mr. Bradford died Thursday, May 3, 2007, at his home.He was born Dec. 23, 1923, in McLouth, the son of Walter and Alberta Stout Bradford. He graduated from McLouth High School in 1940 and attended Kansas University until October 1942. He returned to KU after World War II and graduated in 1947 with a degree in finance. He entered law school at KU in 1950.Mr. Bradford served in the U.S. Army Air Force for two years in England with the 94th Bomb Group during WWII. He later worked for Morrell’s in Topeka, Phillips 66 in Bartlesville, Okla., and Bank of McLouth for 10 years. After moving to Wamego in 1961 he became president of First National Bank. He served as president of Kiwanis Club, commander of the American Legion, county chairman of March of Dimes, chairman of the Jefferson County Chapter of the National Foundation, president of Kaw Valley Heart Association and Sunday school teacher at McLouth EUB Church. He joined Lyra Lodge No. 256 in 1946 and was grand master of Masons A.F. & A.M. of Kansas in 1967.Mr. Bradford was a 60-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He also was a member of Order of the Eastern Star and Royal Arch Masons. He served on the hospital board, school board, Lions Club, as treasurer of the local Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Official Board of First Methodist Church, all in Wamego. He also was active in KU alumni activities.He married Joan Morris of Oskaloosa on May 8, 1948. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include two sons, Kirk C. and wife Anne, Marysville, and Stephen J. and wife Diana, Branson, Mo.; a daughter, Ann Bradford Yingling and husband John A., Atlanta; a sister, Louise, McLouth; 10 grandchildren, Scott, Brooke and Elizabeth Yingling, Chris, Scott, Tessa, Maura and Victoria Bradford, Katie Bradford Gray and Julie Bradford Hendershot; and two great-grandchildren, Reece and Ava Gray.He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen, in 1990.The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the Williams Educational Fund at KU, sent in care of Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego 66547. Online condolences may sent at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com.