Obituary for Shirley Williams Bradfield Shirley Williams Bradfield 1936 – 2018 Shirley Williams Bradfield, born May 7, 1936 in Nephi, Utah to John Lloyd and Della Wilkey Williams, passed away September 15, 2018 in Sandy, Utah. She married her sweetheart, Randall Dee Bradfield, of Leamington Utah, on September 10, 1954 in the Manti LDS Temple. Mom was full of a vibrant energy that never stopped.
We love you! Shirley was welcomed to Heaven by her eternal companion, Dee; her parents; siblings Elwin Williams, Helen Williams, Kenneth (Margaret) Williams, Lorene (Dennis) Johnson, and Sherman Peterson. Survived by her children, Randy (Mariann), Darwin (Jeanette), Sheradee, 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, her siblings Florence Peterson, Grant (Sally) Williams, Doug (Sandra) Williams, Dorothy (Phil) Sperry, Beverly (Robert) Painter and many nephews and nieces.
Shirley was raised in the Union Pacific Railroad section houses in the central and southwest deserts of Utah, but mostly at Juab, Shirley, our mom and grandma, had the blessing of a large and loving family for support and stability. That relationship with her mother, daddy, brothers and sisters has been and still is a valued and important aspect of her life. She was also blessed by not having to put up with the annoying conveniences of electricity, running water, or indoor bathrooms.
Instead, they enjoyed hearty and healthy walks to the outhouse in all weather conditions, baths in wash tub #9, kerosene lamps, and a hose stretched from a railroad water car to a tap in the kitchen. The dust storms, amongst sand and sagebrush with limited tools, taught mom the basic techniques of house care that she never forgot. Our home was built by her and Dad in Sandy, Utah shortly into their marriage and has been their only home since.
It was always comfortable, tidy, welcoming, and clean. Our home and yard was a paradise to live and play in for the children, grandchildren, neighbors and their friends. That place, to the family, is hallowed ground and a factory for pleasant memories.
Mom met her eternal sweetheart, Dee, at a roller-skating rink in Nephi, Utah, and was married in the Manti Temple in 1954. Mom and Dad were inseparable. They worked, played, vacationed, worshiped, served, and lived together for over 63 years.
Of course, the more family and friends that joined them the better. They loved sharing their love with all those around them. Always loyal to God, mom served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Relief Society, Primary, and the Young Women’s programs for years.
Many of her young women kept in contact with her until the time of her death, and spoke of her incredible example, testimony, and ability to teach to all of them. Mom loved her time serving with Dad as an LDS service missionary. They loved being together serving those in need.
Mom and Dad also volunteered for the Salt Lake Olympics. Our talented parents sewed much of the clothing for the opening ceremony. Mom worked for the Jordan School District.
First as a lunch lady, an aide, a secretary at Jordan High School, and finally the district offices, which she quickly retired from because mom had a constant need to stay busy and work. But not being an advocate for the world’s philosophies, she was first and foremost a wife, a mother and grandmother to her still growing posterity. She cooked wonderful meals, baked marvelous goodies, and enjoyed being of service to her family.
She and her husband Dee, her rock of stability of 63 years, shared a beautiful and constant love. They in turn shared and taught that love to their children, extended family, and friends. It has become the nucleus of strength that binds a sincere family relationship.
They loved Christmas time, and they truly were Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause. Toys, Dads creations and moms singing, sewing of beautiful gifts, and her explaining the value of sharing crayons, coloring books, and an orange for Christmas, are among the valued memories we will always have with us. Mom loved Christmas so much, that two days before she passed away, she gave instructions that she wanted the Christmas tree set up, so she could celebrate Christmas one last time before she again reunited with her Savior.
Mom was full of a vibrant energy that never stopped. She lived her life on little to no sleep so she could “get things ready” for the next day of service and adventure. She wanted to help everyone around her, rather friend or foe.
She truly wanted to be the balm of Gilead for everyone in her life. She spent hours praying, reading scriptures, cooking, sewing, cleaning, preparing, planning, organizing and doing anything to help others carry their burdens. Mom, however, was human.
She had a sly grin, a snarky comment, and a mischievous laugh ready at all times. Laced among her admirable qualities she could take our relentless teasing with a smile. For example, when we laugh about her falling face first into every lake, river, or body of water we visited, her obsession with having us fix the “holes” in the back of her hairdo, events stopping because she twisted her ankle yet again, falling off the big blow up water slide, almost drowning several times because she conveniently forgot she didn’t know how to swim, never forgetting that each and every grandchild “broke her toe” at least once, enjoying the never-ending Christmas miracle potatoes, and her magical Christmas stuffing balls.
Mom could take all of the jokes, but she could dish it out as well. She and dad loved adventures. In the fifties and sixties, it was mostly day trips utilizing sleeping bags and plastic to keep the rain off.
Once in a while a tent was used. By the late sixties, week-long truck and camper expeditions were the order. A boat was added in the 70’s, then a motorhome in the early 90s.
Those trips morphed into airplanes, cruise ships, and traveling the world. Now mom is with dad, whom she so anxiously wished to see again. They are now holding hands for their greatest adventure of all – an eternity of happiness, love, family, friends, and serving the Lord.
Thank you mom and grandma for your wonderful example and service to us all. We love you! Viewings will be held Friday, September 21st, 6:00 – 8:00 PM and Saturday, September 22nd 9:30 – 10:30 with funeral services to follow at 11:00 AM, all held at the LDS Chapel, 9331 South 300 East, Sandy, UT.
Interment will take place in Nephi, UT.
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