William M. Bradley, 85, of Rochester, passed peacefully on November 3, 2024, at Woodlawn Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on November 21, 1938, in Rensselaer, Indiana, to Erve and Alva Reffit Bradley, William grew up grounded in the values of hard work, integrity, and humility. On January 29, 1968, he felt the unmistakable call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army. While serving, William earned a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, and a Vietnam Campaign Medal with a 60 Device, carrying out his duties with courage, resilience, and an unwavering sense of duty. His time in service not only marked him as a patriot but also deepened his understanding of sacrifice and unity, values he carried with him throughout his life.

In 1970, Bill met Lindyl Ellen Cyrus, the love of his life at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Their connection was immediate and profound, and on November 28 of that same year, they committed to walking life's path together. Over their 53 years of marriage, they built a life rich in companionship, gratitude, and shared purpose, grounded by love, laughter, and countless cherished memories. Bill's journey also led him to diverse roles: as a dedicated dairy farmer, a professional truck driver for Pike Lumber Company, and he eventually retired from Lobdell-Emery. In all his jobs, he found not only work but purpose, embodying patience, persistence, and the quiet satisfaction of a day's honest labor.

In his free time, Bill was drawn to simple pleasures, perhaps because he recognized the sacred in simplicity. He found joy in reading western novels and the Bible, which reminded him of life's larger story, and he spent hours restoring Farmall tractors and cutting wood—both labors of love that mirrored his dedication to the land and the value of hard work. Each task, whether big or small, seemed to center him, inviting him to see the wonder woven into each moment.

Those left to cherish Bill's memory are his devoted wife Lindyl of Rochester; two daughters: Jennifer Berkshire and her husband Karl of Royal Center, and Amy Andrews and her husband David of Rochester. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, who have undoubtedly welcomed him into the boundless peace that awaits us all.

In his life, William Bradley was a gentle reminder to those who knew him of the beauty in service, the strength of steadfast love, and the quiet grace found in simple, purposeful living. To honor his memory is to remember the divinity within ourselves and to live with an open heart, ready to answer life's call in whatever form it may take.

A celebration of the life of William M. Bradley will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, with an additional visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. prior to the service. Pastor Terry Baldwin will officiate, and military honors will be rendered at Rochester IOOF Cemetery by the United States Army Honors Team and the Fulton County Veteran's Honor Guard. Bill's family will receive friends  on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m., all at the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W 18th St. Rochester, IN 46975.