William James Michael Bradley was born Feb 26, 1877, in Pennsylvania, to parents James H. M. Bradley, born in Ireland (1843-1906), and Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, born in Pennsylvania (1842-1897).

William was the fourth child in a family of seven known children. His brothers and sisters were: Annie E. Bradley-Best (1870-1903), Stella M. Bradley-Madigan (1873-1910), Harry John Bradley (1874-1918), Edward Thomas Bradley (1879-1944), Francis Peter Bradley (1882-1920), and Aline M. Bradley-Ball (1884-1955), all born in Pennsylvania.

William married twice:

(1) Married on Jul 6, 1900, to Theresa "Tressa" J. McHenry, born in Pennsylvania (1883-1913). She was the daughter of David M. and Sophia McHenry. The following children were born in this marriage: Ira E. Bradley, (1901-1975), Marian Mary Bradley Killinger-Gailbraith, (1903-1972), Francis Joseph Bradley, (1905-1974), Marshall William Bradley, (1907-1973), and Leona Theresa Bradley-Paterno, (1909-1989).

(2) Married in 1915 to Daisy Mary Brothers, born in Pennsylvania (1891-1958). She was the daughter of Scott W. and Eliza Jane (Langham) Brothers. In this marriage there were ten known children: Stella G. Bradley-McMurray (1915-2001), Ruth M. Bradley-Beck (1917-1994), Thomas P. Bradley (1918-1990), June C. Bradley-Swonger (1920-1996), Harry P. Bradley (1922-2000), Aline E. Bradley-Forberger (1924-2008), Richard P. Bradley (1926-1999), William J. Bradley (1927-1986), Loretta J. Bradley-McConnell (1928-1993), and Rosemarie C. Bradley-Cronauer (1929-2004).

William and his family remained in Cambria County where he worked in the coal mines. William's death certificate and obit list him as William James Bradley. In some census reports and his World War I Draft Registration Card, his name is listed as William Michael Bradley.

On May 18, 1937, William died in Elder Twp, Cambria County, and was buried in St. Bernard Cemetery.