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Sterry Bradford (Brad) Williams, Jr. was born August 28th, 1944 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to S. Bradford, Sr. and Nancy Jane (Luton) Williams. He was the oldest of three. Mark Ann (Erik) Nelson being the next, a true sister in every sense of the term - loving and tough and kind. She was followed by Steven (Kim), or “little brother” - who was in constant contact with his “big brother” and the heart of the family after Brad Sr. and Nancy’s passing. Brad loved his siblings and his nieces and nephews (on both sides of the family - The Nelson’s, Luton’s, Kuipers’, Kalpakjians, & Brondykes) not because he “had to,” but because he truly could not help but to love them/you all.

A little trouble maker, Brad Jr. finished high school in Tucson, at the Southern Arizona School for Boys where he worked diligently on his cowboying skills: hand-rolling cigarettes while hogtying rattlesnakes. SAS is where he met Allen Wold - and the two remained friends for life. Brad came home, somehow smarter, and attended Grand Valley State College as a member of the “Pioneer Class” in 1963. Brad met the love of his life, fellow Pioneer - fellow Laker - Connie Kay Kuipers of Holland Michigan, wielding that ol’ Williams charm while questioning Connie’s spelling skills. A match that could only have been made in Heaven, the two “daned” (danced) and dated and fell in love and got married February 24th, 1964 … remaining staunchly by each other’s side ever since.

Together, Brad and Connie had two strong, charismatic, and handsome boys. One of which they loved just a little more than the other - for they told him so. Together with Brad’s wife, Connie - Sterry Bradford, III, (Kyle E) and Jonathan Tade, Sr. (M. Tucker Ann) were Brad’s world. He was their biggest fan and greatest advocate. He loved the beautiful women they married and he reveled in watching them all grow and prosper and pour their learned parenting skills on to their own children: Rambie K (Jack Ireland); Icelyn (Mandela Shaeffer); Sterry Bradford IV; Athena (Louis Koepke) and Jonathan Tade, Jr.

With opened arms he welcomed Brad III’s growing family to include the grand kids, Erik and Austin Alward and John and Paige Eash and the newest additions (to date) of the great grand babies, Beckslee and Jaelyn.

A young loving father quickly turns into a young man’s good friend, and “Pop’s Williams” was just that to more than Brad and Tade. There was a special bond with the “kids he adopted” along the way - including, Mark Cardwell and Daryl Orr (who both preceded Brad in death - Welcome him home, boys) and Don (Kathy) Hamilton, Rob (Kristen) Aungst, Jack (Karen) Wood, Todd (Amy) Gronowski, and Jeffry Lammers. Not to mention the gaggle of misfits who would end up crashing in Brad and Connie’s basement from time to time, like Devin Furtwangler, Jake Dewland, Scott Tenniswood, John Macchia, Dave Traj, Tony Green and/or Todder Jones (who shared a birthday with Pop’s … and more than a 1000 bad jokes). Each of their families inevitably became Brad’s - who attended as many graduations and weddings and baby-showers as he could.

Without a doubt, he loved ALL “his boys”… but he also truly loved his “adult friends,” too. “The Motley’s”: Jim and Marsha Haehnle and Roger and Mary Maddalena. Without a doubt, they were his favorite traveling buddies … his cabin clan … his (and Connie’s) very best friends.

To Brad, everyone he personally knew “was a friend” and there are just too many to capture how much he loved all those he did call “a friend” during his 80 years. He had several special friends like the late (GREAT) Karen Dunigan and her huge loving family, Don and Sharon Calbert, Tom (God rest his soul) and Marcia Hyldahl, Kay and Chuck Danby, and Thomas (God rest his soul) and Carey Loveland, Salah and Muna Huwais, and Jill Bentley and David Nichols… His Conservative lunch buddies, Ron (Barb) Markowski, Joe Lerczak, David Hockenbrock, George (Mary Lou) Page, Kenny (Betty K) Price, Beau Miller and Doc Mathein. And, the Friday Caucus who always treated Brad with reverence, while never pulling any punches: Stephen and Billie Rajzer, David Elwell, Earl and Candy Poleski, Kathy Schmaltz, Julie and Jeff Alexander, Steve Shotwell, Mike Way, Phil Moilenen, Craig Papin and Mike Shirkey. His beautiful neighbors, Hal and Theresa Blom. And, the 100’s of people he associated with either while working for the people of the State of Michigan via what was originally the Department of Social Services (such as his dear Linda Marks, Joe Grant, Steve Corey, Denny Downs, Tim McLogan, Denise (Jim) Ecceleton and “the team of retirees”) or finishing his career as the Chairman of the Board of the Jackson Co. Medical Care Facility (with Sandy (Phil) Place and Harry Wilson).

Brad loved to laugh … He absolutely loved to laugh … and everyone listed (and many many more) brought him the greatest joy and laughter … and he genuinely loved you (and your families) all.

You were the well that filled Brad’s soul… Together with Connie and his sons, you were his reason for being.

The family, on behalf of Brad, extends heartfelt gratitude - with deepest appreciation - to the team at Vista Grande Villa (Thank you each … thank you Jenny/“Sis” and Michelle) and the Careline Hospice team (Tammy & Danny - you were so perfect in your care and approach). Thank you to Kevin Thomson - so much more than his “General Council”… and to Dr. David Halsey. And to all of you who went above and beyond when Brad called.

A philosopher, a poet, a comedian, an artist, a sportsman, a fine cook, a father, a husband, a very very best friend… Brad’s presence will be missed but his loving impact will be felt for generations.

As Brad would say, “The pain is in the living…” so he made it his life’s mission to spread joy.

Sterry Bradford Williams, Jr…. May God Rest Your Soul …. Until We Laugh Together Again.

We Love You … “One more.”

-Your Family

A “Celebration of Brad” will be held on Friday, August 15th from 4 to 6pm … with remarks from the Family to be offered at 5:30.

Location: Vista Grande Villa ~ Trellis Gardens • Grand Ballroom • 2801 Carriage Lane, Jackson MI 49202 

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