William C. Bradish

Bradish William C. William C. Bradish passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at his home in Sylvania Township. Born January 10, 1930 in Ottawa, IL to Cyrus and Genevieve Hercock Bradish, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Dorothy Bradish and Ruth Bradish Andrews. Married Shirley Bixler on April 13, 1952. He was a graduate of Ottawa High School in 1948 and North Central College, Naperville, IL in 1952. Joined Libbey-Owens-Ford Co. in 1952, transferred to Toledo in 1963 and retired from LOF in December, 1992 after 40 years working in various supervisory and administrative positions in the Financial, Production and Marketing departments. His family was very important to him but he found time to be active in his church and was a sports official for 43 years, spanning five decades. He was a former member of Pilgrim Church of the United Church of Christ; served on many of the boards of the church, taught Sunday school, coached basketball teams and was a past Moderator of the congregation. He also served as Moderator of the Northwest Ohio Association of the United Church of Christ, was on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Conference, was a General Synod delegate and sat on the Governing board of the National Council of Churches. Bill is currently a member of Sylvania United Church of Christ where he remains active. Sports were an important part of his life also; he played all sports in high school, winning varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track; was a four year varsity letterman in basketball at North Central College where he served as co-captain his senior year. He started officiating football, basketball and baseball in 1953 and retired in 1995. Worked high school and intercollegiate football games and umpired high school and Mid-American Conference baseball games. Officiated in the first Ohio High School football playoffs at Ohio State University in 1972. Was selected to officiate state playoff football games for 16 years and baseball games for 20 years. Officiated Ohio High School state final games in both baseball and football in 1981. Selected to officiate Toledo City League championship games in football and baseball. He was a past president of the Northwest Ohio District Football Officials Association, Secretary of the Metro Toledo Umpires Association for 20 years and served on the Executive Committee of the Northwest Ohio District Basketball Officials Association. He was a past president of the Northwest District Officials Committee, member of the District Appeals and Review Board and a member of the OHSAA Officials Advisory Board. Inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame in 1996 and in the year 2000 was the first baseball umpire to be honored by the Toledo City League baseball coaches for Outstanding Contributions to the Toledo City Athletic League. He continued his involvement in high school athletics most recently by serving as an observer of high school football officiating crews. Surviving are his loving wife, Shirley; children Bill Christine; Sue Jim Corfman; and Sally Bob Sparks; grandchildren, Jon; Lynne Todd Nidek; Jeff Sarah; Kristi, Andrew and Billy Orwig; Justin, Joshua and Jordan Sparks; step-grandsons Jason Katie Sparks and Chris Corfman; great-grandchildren Molly Jane Schill; Logan and Kayla Nidek; Elizabeth and David Bradish; sister Jane Don Roesler, Ottawa, IL; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 2-9:00pm on Friday at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd.. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday at Sylvania United Church of Christ, 7240 Erie St. Sylvania, OH 43560. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Nasser Smiley and Dr. Thomas McAlear for their excellent care over the years. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Hospice of Northwest Ohio or to Sylvania United Church of Christ. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.