The Rev. Dr. William "Bud" Brandt Bradshaw (Lebanon)'s Obituary
William Brandt “Bud” Bradshaw was born October 27, 1932, in Jefferson City, Missouri. The family moved to Lebanon in 1935. Bud graduated from Lebanon High School in 1950, where he lettered four years in debate, track, and music.
Bud received his BA degree from the University of Missouri in 1954. While there, he was elected Student Body President and lettered in cross country, track, and debate. Bud received a Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) from Yale Divinity School in 1957 and a PhD from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland) in 1964.
He was ordained into the Christian ministry at the First Congregational Church, Lebanon, Missouri. He then served as senior minister at: First Congregational Church (UCC), Norfolk Nebraska, 1963-1964; First Congregational Church (UCC), Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 1965-1969; St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1970-1971; and First Congregational Church, Los Angeles, California, 1972-1978.
After 24 years in the ministry, he served as President of Lees College in Jackson, Kentucky and then President of Patricia Stevens College in St. Louis. Bud authored many articles and four books.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Betty Green Bradshaw (2025), his parents, Jean Paul Bradshaw (1970) and Catherine Ann Brandt Bradshaw (1991), his brother, Paul Ludwig Bradshaw (1986), and niece, Jane Melanie Bradshaw (1960).
He is survived by his four children: Elizabeth Ann (Bill) Gatto, York William (Alissa) Bradshaw, Heidi Bradshaw (Scott) Shepherd, and Rebekah (Trent) Anderson. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Ashley (Ryan) McGowan, Nicole (Josh) Cherner; Stephanie (Eric) Kline, Will (Hannah) Shepherd, Chrystal Bradshaw, Catherine Shepherd, Autymn Bradshaw, Albert Shepherd, Joshua Bradshaw, Addison Anderson and Hannah Ellison. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Ella McGowan, Maia McGowan, Teagan Cherner, Gibson Cherner, and Emerson Cherner. He is also survived by his nephew Jean Paul (Diane) Bradshaw II and his niece, Rachel Green.
Bud died peacefully in Prairie Village, Kansas, on October 12, 2025.
His funeral will be at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home on Saturday, October 18, 2025, 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will follow immediately at Mount Rose Memorial Park.
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