William "Bill" Bradley

William "Bill" Bradley obituary, Wausau, WI

William "Bill" Bradley

William "Bill" Bradley Obituary

Visit the Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Wausau Chapel website to view the full obituary.

On January 29th, 2025 William Henry Bradley went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ with his wife by his side.


Bill was born December 29, 1930 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Bissell and Helen (Skinner) Bradley. 


He graduated from Wausau High School where he played basketball, football and baseball. He was a life guard and accomplished diver and golfer. After graduation, he went to Lawrence University in Appleton. During college the Korean War broke out and Bill enlisted in the Navy. He served in the US Navy as a Seaman 1st Class on the USS Lake Champlain Aircraft Carrier. After returning home, he met the love of his life, Nancy Geske. Seven weeks later, they were married on September 3, 1955. Bill wanted to finish his schooling so the newlyweds headed down to Madison. Before graduating, Bill and Nancy moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he worked at J.C. Penney Co. in sales. After four years in Iowa, he had an offer from his father to become a business partner. Bill moved his family back to Wausau to join his father in the insurance industry. He continued to work on his education to gain more knowledge and to serve his clients with excellence. He received his CLU and ChFC through American College. 


You could find Bill every morning studying God's word preparing for teaching bible studies. Bill had a passion for the outdoors and loved taking his family camping and boating in the Northwoods. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also found joy in photography.


Bill is survived by his wife Nancy of 69 years; daughters Debra (Thomas) Steckart of Wausau, Kathy Lindt of Wausau, Tammie (Michael) Smith of Aniwa; grandchildren Christine Ellis, Angela (Eric) Wenninger, Bradley (Deborah) Steckart, Benjamin and Joshua Lindt, Ariel, Natasha and Samson Smith; great grandchildren Lydia, Sophia, Cal, Ava, Benjamin; and sister Mary Lee, sister in law Mary Fehl and many nieces and nephews. 


He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Sue Schildge and granddaughter Soledad Smith.


Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Baptist Church, 152111 Tulip Ln, Wausau, WI 54401 on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Pastor Will Zalizniak will officiate. Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church on Wednesday. 


The family would like to thank the staff Wellington Place of Rib Mountain and Interim Hospice Healthcare for their compassion and care for Bill.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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