William Bradfield

BRADFIELD, William

William A Bradfield "Bill", 86, passed away on November 22, 2025. Born in Rome, Georgia, on June 19, 1939. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Margaret Bradfield, of Rome, Georgia. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Starnes; his son-in-law, John Starnes; and his granddaughter, Lilia Starnes; and cousins, Hannah Chambley and Ann Aycock.

He graduated from Auburn with a degree in Industrial Design. His long career in interior design and project management took off. In 1969, Bill joined the Interior Design Department of John Portman and Associates and was quickly promoted to manager of the department in the early 1970s.

Portman designed major projects, and the Interiors Department was integrally involved in all of them. These included multi-use complexes like Embarcadero Center in San Francisco and Peachtree Center in Atlanta, and many hotels, including the InterContinental Singapore, the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, and the Peachtree Plaza. In addition to the interiors, Bill worked closely with John Portman, who viewed artwork as an integral part of his architecture, on the selection or commission of artwork for the firm's projects.

Bill's experience extends beyond the Portman organization. In the 1990s, he worked for Regent International Hotels in Hong Kong, where he coordinated the interior designers working on Regent hotels in Asia, Europe, and the United States. In 1998, Bill moved to Gargnano, Italy, on Lake Garda, to work as project manager on the renovation of the historic Villa Feltrinelli, built in 1892, and its conversion into the Grand Hotel Villa Feltrinelli. Bill proudly returned to Portman in 2002.

Bill always said, "My work is my hobby. I truly enjoy what I do - and that's very fulfilling." His family will remember him as a kind, loving, generous, creative, thoughtful, and funny man.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and dedicate your donation in Bill's name. Lovingly written by his granddaughter, Lilia.