W.T. "Tom" Bradley Sr.

Born at the beginning of “The Great Depression”, Tom was instilled with a sense of determination to become a self-made man. He worked while he studied. While attending Central High School in Jackson he worked as a carhop at Clem’s Cottage and as a baker at Colonial Bread bakery. He attended Hinds Junior College, Mississippi Southern College, and Mississippi College majoring in Economics. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Tom was the manager for the “Little Wagon Wheel” on Capitol Street and then the “Wagon Wheel” on Farrish Street in the 1950’s. He opened his first business, Tom Bradley’s Drive-In, on Bailey Avenue in 1960. During those years his children earned their allowance by peeling potatoes, making coffee, waiting on tables, wash dishes, and serve bottle sodas to the carhops to earn their allowance. All three children developed a fondness for pinball machines and jukeboxes while learning the restaurant business. In the early 1970’s he bought the Hat & Cane nightclub which taught his children not to become musicians.

In 1973 Tom established “The Hill” restaurant in south Jackson which he sold in 2003. During those years he developed many friendships with customers. Politicians, sports legends, doctors, lawyers, and Indian Chiefs frequented The Hill over the years. He used to say that if there was a “character” anywhere near Jackson they would find their way to his place of business.

Tom will be remembered for being a snazzy dresser. He enjoyed dancing and women loved to dance with him. He was keen with numbers and would figure the ticket plus tax before the check was presented to him. This affinity for math was passed to his children.

Tom was most relaxed when fishing. He enjoyed fresh water and salt water fishing and took his children on many trips. He and his daughter remained at odds over the weight of the wide-mouth bass she caught when she was 14 since it was larger than any he had caught. He and his son fished in the Gulf of Mexico many times. On one such trip the boat and trailer became unhooked from the van while in transit to Louisiana. When his son noticed he remarked to his father, “Better speed up, Dad, because it is about to pass us.” Tom was rescued from the gulf three times – twice by the U.S. Coast Guard and once by an Exxon crew boat. He bought Exxon gasoline from then on.

An avid “sports” man Tom enjoyed college and professional games. He travelled by train to New Orleans for Saints games at the old Tulane stadium, to Las Vegas for boxing matches, and Mississippi Memorial stadium for Mississippi State and Ole Miss football games.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Marietta Bradley (Mark Stanton) of Flowood; sons, Bill Bradley (Robin) of Clinton and Clay Bradley (Masami) of Tokyo, Japan; grandchildren, Haley Bradley (Eric Moore) of Red Rock, Texas, Emily Bradley and Alex Bradley of Jackson, Rio Bradley and Ellen Bradley of Tokyo, Japan, Sarah Stanton Goodwin (Brent) of Raleigh, NC, and Ben Stanton of Asheville, NC. He is also survived by his former wife, Mary Tom Fillette; his cousin, Dorothy Ledbetter; her daughter, Gaylyn Pleasant; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Lakewood Funeral Home Wednesday, August 26, from 12-2 PM with a memorial service at 2 PM.

Tom Bradley will be missed by all who knew him for his sense of humor, sense of fairness, and his work ethic.