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Bradley Paul Williams of Belfast, Maine, joined our King and Savior Yahshua, in paradise on May 22nd, while being lovingly held by his wife and prayed over with dear friends in the home that he built near the head of the tide.
Born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on July 7th, 1955, “…same day as my twin brother,” he liked to say, as well as the same day (7/7) as their grandmother Vida Marie Vaughan.
Bradley’s mother, Shirley Irene Vaughan, was a 10th generation Mainer and her grandfather Reverend William Vaughan built the old stone chapel on Meetinghouse Hill in Belfast. Bradley grew up spending summers in beautiful Belfast and Bayside and would eventually attend the “hippie” high school at Skitacook where his final exam included brewing his own “Bradweiser” beer, but graduated from Mt. Vernon Township Highschool in Illinois.
He started junior college in Illinois early at age 15 majoring in chemistry, but decided a few years later that he’d rather hit the road and live the life of an adventure seeker. He and his good friend, Allen McAllen, drove out to California and Brad stayed for many years making Stetson Beach his home while hanging out with Mountain Girl and Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead, and owning a health food store. When a tragic fire took his apartment and beloved Dobermann, Gracie, he moved to Lahaina, HA and began a whole new chapter as a diver on a tourist boat, as well as a cook in various restaurants, and a sanitary manager on a cruise ship. Bradley loved the “Aloha” lifestyle and as an avid diver appreciated the immense beauty of the Hawaiian ocean and Lahaina reef, but he missed the familiality of Maine. So he moved into his family’s Kelly Cove home and embarked on a new career as a chimney sweep - which he grew to really love and served many people as for over 35 years.
After another devastating house fire he began building his home on a lot he purchased in Belfast and was shown great love and support by his Bayside and Belfast neighbors during a long period of recouping.
Brad was a man of many hats. If it wasn’t by his chimney work perhaps you knew him as your guitar teacher, or a fellow union truck driver, antique trader, cannabis aficionado, barstool buddy, music lover, dog trainer, medical freedom marcher, Aikido karate student, or as it was for many - the host who helped you relocate to Maine, and as it was for the band Old Crow Medicine Show - a supporter that helped launch an incredible musical journey. He was also a member of the group, Parents of Murdered Children, and he was the loudest advocate for the missing person Jeremy Alex.
A witty joker, and wonderful storyteller, Brad’s life story ended joyfully and triumphantly abiding in Christ, albeit much too soon for his new bride, faithful companion, and fellow chimney sweepa, Gina. Bradley discovered Gina Tarée Kuettner online and sent her the most charming letter she had ever received in May of 2021. After months of long, entertaining and endearing phone conversations she moved to Belfast from North Carolina in October that year to join divine forces with Bradley and they were married in 2022 on his and his twin’s and his grandmother’s birthday, which is also Gina’s parents’ wedding anniversary, July 7th. That day they also baptized their God-ordained, wedded union in Monroe Falls, making it the best day of their lives.
Brad had lived hard and fast in his youth, and had the scars to prove it, even flatlining once on an operating table where he got to see how very real hell is and by the grace of Yah was brought back to life. Although he had been sober and free of narcotics for decades his liver was winding down just as the happiest years of Brad’s and Gina’s lives began together. She now misses him more than words can convey but will continue loving him through eternity.
Brad is predeceased by his beloved and cherished parents Merle and Shirley Williams, his identical twin brother Brian along with his pregnant wife Gail and infant son.
He is survived by his aunt Nancy Vaughan-Hall, older brothers Steve with wife Lydia, Ronnie, and Keith with wife Sue, Williams; younger sister Nancy Nagle-Williams, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews much adored.
In times of sorrow and loss Brad would often quote Job 1:21, “…The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” With his very last breaths Bradley praised the name of our Lord.
A celebration of his life will be held at Swanville Lake Park on July 7th, at 4:20pm. Memories and condolences may be shared on his tribute wall.
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