Willard Hullen Brady, 57,of the Greystone community, passed away Sunday, March 18. Originally from Altamont, Tennessee, Hullen was a high school football standout. As the most recruited player in three states, he attended MTSU on a football scholarship.
After moving west, he played semi-pro football in Denver for the Colorado Cougars. Hullen came back to Tennessee and graduated from the Police Academy in Donaldson. Not long after, he became the Chief of Police in Tracy City, TN.
Mr. Brady was a jack of all trades and mastered them as well. He also worked on a construction crew that brought him to East Tennessee, where he met his future wife, the former Pat Ditto. During that time, he went back to college and graduated from ETSU with a degree in Criminal Justice. In 1996, Hullen trained and received certification as a licensed massage therapist and practiced at the Greene County YMCA.
His love for football never wavered as he served for many years as a football coach at Greeneville High School and then at Greeneville Middle School. It was his passion in life.
His professional career was most recently with the Open Arms Care organization where he was a direct care technician, working with intellectually challenged clients. His calm demeanor and never-ending patience was also evidenced on the family's horse farm, as he was an excellent trainer specializing in the handling of young colts.
Hullen's life was rich and full and he was a loyal and giving friend to all who knew him.
Hullen is survived by his son, Sawyer Brady and girlfriend, Nicole McKinsey; Pat Ditto Brady, his wife of 29 years; his mother; Evelyn Coppinger; two sisters and their spouses: Oma Lee and Raymond Post, Wilma and Stacy Nunley; three brothers: Gerald Brady, Lemuel Brady and Kevin Brady and girlfriend, Billie Faye; and a brother in law, Robert Ditto; and several dear nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.
Mr. Brady was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Hall Brady, and a special nephew, Nicholas Brady.
The family will host a Celebration of Life at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home on Friday, March 23, from 4-6 PM. A service will follow in the chapel.
