Dr. Walter A. “Brad” Bradley, Jr., 79, of Natchitoches, died early Thursday morning, November 3, at Willis-Knighton Medical Center Pierremont in Shreveport.

Brad was born March 17, 1932 in Millry, Alabama, the son of Walter A. Bradley, Sr. and Treobye Britton Bradley. He was raised by his stepmother Ola Dyess Bradley.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 6, at The First United Methodist Church on Second Street with the Rev. Doug de Graffenried officiating. Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Pallbearers will be his sons Trey and Steven, nephews Joseph Taylor Carlisle, Jr., and Bruce Marcus Brister, and grandsons Daniel, Britton, and Calum. Honorary pallbearers are Sam Friedman, Dr. Hurst Hall, Dr. Fraser Snowden, Billy Carter, Ronald Corkern, and long-time dental buddies Dr. Milford Kathmann, Dr. Mike Karam, Dr. Jack Chadwick, Dr. Warren Woodward, Dr. Don McSpadden, and Dr. Mike Vienne (to whom Brad entrusted his patients on his retirement). A private family burial will be held in Millry, Alabama, at a later date.

Brad graduated from Millry High School in 1950. He attended undergraduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg. He graduated from Loyola University Dental School in New Orleans in 1960. He began the practice of general dentistry in Natchitoches in 1960 and retired in 1994. His patients were his special friends, and he took a deep personal interest in their lives.

He served on the City of Natchitoches Housing Authority for 24 years, acting as chairman for many years, and was honored with an Exemplary Service aware by the Southwest National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials in 2000. Over the years he enjoyed serving on numerous committees at The First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Natchitoches Rotary Club, serving in various capacities and being honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of countless other civic organizations.

Brad was an avid cook, well known for his expert grilling skills. He had a keen interest in the history of Natchitoches and was especially fascinated by the history of land development in the area. He was a world traveler equally content sitting on the banks of the Cane River fishing with his grandchildren. He enjoyed having his grandchildren underfoot and delighted in barbequing for them. He taught others the proper methods of grilling ribs. He was a sportsman who loved deer and duck hunting. He was an optimist with a wry sense of humor. After Loyola was absorbed into the LSU system, he became an avid LSU fan. He was the youngest member to be initiated into the Grand Lodge of Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The First United Methodist Church, 411 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 or Minerva Methodist Church, 1924 Mehaffey Road, Millry, AL 36558.

Brad is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years Sandra Hawkins Bradley; Walter A. “Trey” Bradley III and wife Patrice Dupuy Bradley and grandchildren Daniel Hawkins Bradley (currently residing in Los Angeles, California), Britton Lynn Bradley, Kristen Patrice Bradley of Flower Mound, Texas; Dr. Steven Howell Bradley and wife Dr. Laura Noonan Bradley and grandchildren Calum Bradley, Kenna Bradley, Keagan Bradley of Mooresville, North Carolina; and Melodie Lynn Bradley Guthrie and husband John Todd Guthrie of Fort Mill, South Carolina; sisters Sue Bradley Carlisle of Millry, Alabama and Sylvia Bradley Brister and husband Thomas Edward Brister of Pascagoula, Mississippi; brother James Barkley Bradley and wife Sherri Mashburn Bradley of Millry, Alabama; sisters-in-law Ann Hawkins Westendorf of Madison, Alabama, and Troy Hawkins James of Brandon, Mississippi ; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Alan Borne, Dr. Ralph Baucum, Hospice of Natchitoches, and his many loyal friends.