William Campbell Bradley

Born in Champaign, IL, Bill was the son of Dr. William Frank and Ruth (Campbell) Bradley. He graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in 1961. Mr. Bradley was a member of the University’s ROTC program and a member of Tau Beta Pi Association. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Germany as a First Lieutenant. Bill then moved to Massachusetts to further his education, earning an MS in Electrical Engineering from MIT.

Bill enjoyed a long career in the optical engineering industry, developing imaging devices for aerospace and aircraft, and later working in the broader IT field. He worked at numerous technology companies, including RCA, Itek, Litton Industries, and was a consultant to MIT laboratories. Bill was granted several scientific patents in the 1980s related to his pioneering work in optical engineering. After his retirement, he volunteered his time to the Town of Sudbury to assist with their IT department. His experience with such a wide range of technology spoke to his love for science and cracking of all kinds of codes and systems. He was a proud member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the MIT Alumni Association.

A historian with an affinity for languages, Bill learned to speak fluent German in school. This served him well while stationed in Germany, as he was often called upon to bail out enlisted men who had ended up in bar brawls. In recent years, Bill’s love of languages led him to learn to speak Portuguese so he could communicate better with his favorite caregivers at Wingate/Bear Mountain, the long-term care facility where he had resided for the past 14 years. Bill enjoyed reading, science, fixing things, making jewelry, and travelling, especially to NYC and to visit his children and grandchildren. He loved classical music and bagpipes, which was reflective of his Scottish ancestry. In recent years, Bill enjoyed a quieter pace of life and loved staying current with the news and hearing stories about his grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of fifty-four years, Mary, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker and formerly at NB Taylor. Bill was the adoring father of Melissa Bradley Horine (Jeff) of Waban, Molly Bradley Benz (George) of Dallas, TX, William Frank Bradley II (Rebecca) of Weston; proud grandfather of Megan, Alexander and William Benz, of Dallas, TX, Graham Horine of Waban, MA, Griffin and Bingham Bradley, of Weston, MA; and loving brother of the late Mary Bradley Nabors. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation Wednesday, June 2, 2021, from 4-7PM at the Duckett – J. S. Waterman & Sons Home of Memorial Tribute, 656 Boston Post Road (Route 20), Sudbury. A private celebration of his life will be held later in the summer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as Bill received excellent care there many times over the years: www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/visitors/giving-back-to-bwh

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the excellent caregivers at the Wingate/Bear Mountain Nursing Home for the loving care provided to Bill for many years.