AN OXFORD man who worked as a tool room foreman at Oxford Radiators for decades before helping at a special needs school has died aged 79.

Bill Bradley died peacefully at home in Marston, Oxford, on September 24.

Mr Bradley was born in Headington, Oxford, in 1930, attending Temple Cowley School, before starting his apprenticeship at Lucy’s ironworks, aged 16.

At 23, he married Jean Slatter, and remained with her until his death – a total of 57 years of marriage.

After marrying, he went to work at Oxford Radiators, and stayed there until he retired, in the position of tool room foreman.

Outside work, he was a goalkeeper for the YMCA football team and trained as a referee during the 1950s.

In the late 60s and 70s he was chairman of Northway Community Centre, devoting much of his time to ensuring activities were held every day of the week.

They included a Wednesday night disco, supper dances on Fridays, and Thursday prize bingo, at which Mr Bradley was the caller.

At the weekends, live bands played – including one memorable night when Mr Bradley booked sixties pop star Billy J Kramer.

In the 70s he spearheaded a drive to raise money for the Churchill Hospital kidney unit, and each Christmas he would organise parties for the elderly and the distribution of food parcels to senior citizens on the Northway estate.

He also gave presents to children at Maltfield Road Children’s Home. One Christmas, he arranged for every child to get a bicycle; another year, they all received tracksuits.

With his wife he attended more than 250 caravan rallies, and became chairman of the Pressed Steel Fisher camping and caravan club 10 years ago, booking sites and entertainment, and making sure rallies ran smoothly.

In the early years of their marriage, Mr and Mrs Bradley lived in Old Marston, before moving to Northway in the late 1950s, before finally settling again in Marston.

In retirement, Mr Bradley volunteered at a special needs school.

He was described by his family as “a man who would do anything for anyone”, and lived out his days walking his dogs Bessie and Meg, and revelled in his three daughters, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who lived nearby.

His funeral was at Oxford Crematorium on Tuesday.