William Bradley Hudson, Sr.

William Bradley Hudson, Sr., 100, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2023 at his residence.  Mr. Hudson was born on May 28, 1922, in his family’s home on Hickory Street in Aberdeen to the late Robert Henry Hudson, Sr. and Hattie Mae Bradley Hudson.  He is the youngest of 4 children.  During the summer months, he and his siblings would travel to their grandparents’ farm and work until it was time to return to school.  

Mr. Hudson graduated from Aberdeen High School, Class of 1941.  On November 9, 1942 he entered the U.S. Army Air Force with his service beginning at Camp Shelby.  He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant in Squadron A 311^th Army Air Force Fighter Command.  Mr. Hudson would serve in Mississippi, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Oregon before returning home after his discharge on February 13, 1946.  He then became a member of American Legion Post 0026 in Aberdeen and was recognized for his 75 year membership shortly after his 100^th birthday in May 2022.

In 1943, Mr. Hudson met Catherine Marie Meek of Laurel.  They married in 1944 and had one son, Bill Hudson, Jr.  Mr. and Mrs. Hudson were married for 52 years until her passing in 1997.  In 2002, he married Betty Lane Hudson.

Over the course of a long and successful career in the grocery business, Mr. Hudson worked at Kroger in Aberdeen, Amory and Helena, Arkansas.  While in Helena, he owned and operated a grocery store until his return to Aberdeen where he opened and managed the first area Jitney Jungle.  After his retirement, he enjoyed gardening, making peanut brittle and putting up preserves.  A devoted and faithful man of God, Mr. Hudson was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and later became a member of the Aberdeen First United Methodist Church.  He cherished time spent with his family.

Mr. Hudson is survived by his wife, Betty Lane Hudson of Aberdeen; son, Bill Hudson, Jr. (Victoria) of Springdale, Arkansas; stepchildren, Robert Hudson Jr. (Rebecca) of Aberdeen and Lisa Lane Hudson of Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Tori Hudson of Little Rock and Rita Hudson of Springdale; great nephew, Nolan Bowen (Shelly), Aberdeen; great niece, Julie Bowen Casper (Michael) of Pulaski, TN.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Meek Hudson; sisters, Mae Elizabeth McClure and Julia Hudson Pritchett; and his brother, Robert Hudson, Sr.

Graveside services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Aberdeen with Rev. Mary Hutson officiating. Pallbearers will be Bill Hudson, Jr., Nolan Bowen, Tori Hudson, James Davidson, Jimmy Fitzpatrick and Bob Hudson.  Mike Byrd will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

Visitation will be Saturday morning January 7, 2023 at Tisdale Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Aberdeen from 10 AM until 10:50 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. John’s Episcopal Church or to Aberdeen First United Methodist Church.