Shirley Williams Bradfield's Obituary
Shirley Williams Bradfield
1936 - 2018
Shirley Williams Bradfield, born May 7, 1936 to John Lloyd and Della Williams, was raised in the Union Pacific Railroad section houses in the central and southwest deserts of Utah. Shirley (Mom) had the blessing of a large and loving family for support and stability. The relationships with her mother, daddy, brothers and sisters have been and still are 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 plumbing. Instead, they enjoyed hearty and healthy walks to the outhouse in all weather conditions, baths in washtub #9, kerosene lamps, and a hose stretched from a railroad water car to a tap in the kitchen.
Mom met her eternal sweetheart, Dee, at a roller-skating rink in Nephi, Utah, and they were married in the Manti Temple in 1954. The dust storms she grew up in, amongst sand and sagebrush with limited tools, taught mom the basic techniques of house care that she carried with her in the care of her own home. Mom and Dad’s first home was a tiny boxcar, but shortly into their marriage they worked together and built our home in Sandy, Utah and have lived there ever since. It was always comfortable, tidy, and welcoming. Our home and yard were a paradise to live and play in for their children, grandchildren, neighbors and our friends. That place, to the family, is hallowed ground and a factory for pleasant memories. Mom and Dad were inseparable. They worked, played, vacationed, worshipped, served, and lived together for over 63 years.
Always loyal to God, mom served in the LDS church 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 also loved her time serving with Dad as an LDS service missionary. They loved doing good together and volunteered not only in the Church, but made blocks and toys for children who had nothing, and helped sew the costumes for the Opening Ceremonies of the Salt Lake Olympics. Mom made it clear that hard work is important, and that we are given talents to share with others.
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, 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, canning, bottling, 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 stopped 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 50s and 60s, 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 60s, weeklong truck and camper expeditions were the order. A boat was added in the 70s, then a motorhome in the early 90s. And 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/grandma for your wonderful example and service to us all. We love you!
Shirley is survived by her children; Randy (Mariann), Darwin (Jeanette), and Sheradee, grandchildren; Nathan (Jessica), Landon (Tiffany), Jess (Rose), Ken (Danielle), Tate (Alaina), Rose, Danielle Jensen (Collin), Haylee Roush( Blake), Tala Brown (Quinton) and Josiah (Gabrielle); and great-grandchildren: Maya, Zoey, Olivia and Andilynn Bradfield, Lilly, William, and Chance Bradfield, Anneliese, Annamarie and Alida Bradfield, Lanaiah Bradfield, Kyler, Alexis, Ashton Oveson, and Rylie and Ellie Jensen, Jaxen, Tyson and Derek Roush, her siblings Florence Peterson, Grant (Sally) Williams, Doug (Sandra) Williams, Dorothy (Phil) Sperry, Beverly (Robert) Painter and many nephews and nieces, and of course Van.
Those that welcomed her to heaven; her eternal companion Dee, her parents Lloyd and Della Williams, siblings Elwin Williams, Helen Williams, Kenneth (Margaret) Williams, Lorene (Dennis) Johnson, and Sherman Peterson, her nephews Dallin Johnson and Bobby Peterson, and many close family friends that mom missed dearly.
Viewings will be held Friday, September 21, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and Saturday, September 22 from 9:30-10:30 AM with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM, all held at the LDS Chapel, 9331 South 300 East, Sandy, Utah.
Grave dedication will take place in Nephi, Utah.
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