Radford, Jr., William Arthur
William Arthur Radford Jr., 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Born July 25, 1939, in Floyd, Virginia, William was known by family and friends as “Junior,” and to many others as “Bill.”
He was a proud United States Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War. He carried his service to his country with great pride, and you could rarely catch him out without his Vietnam Veterans hat.
Junior spent 35 years working as a maintenance mechanic at the Lynchburg Foundry in Radford, Virginia, before retiring. He was a hardworking man who took great pride in providing for his family. For many years, he worked seven days a week, doing whatever was necessary to take care of the people he loved. He was the kind of man who could fix just about anything, and he often said he could “fix anything from a broken heart to a busted ass.”
Junior had a personality all his own. He enjoyed what he called “wheeling and dealing”—buying, selling, trading, and bartering cars and just about anything else that caught his interest. He enjoyed making a deal and always seemed to have something he was buying, selling, trading, or working on.
Junior was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janice Lytton Radford, whom he married on April 26, 1963. They were married for nearly 52 years before her passing on January 14, 2015. His love for Janice never faded after her passing. Every Sunday, Junior faithfully visited her graveside.
Above all, Junior was a family man. He is survived by his children, William Todd Radford and Vickie Radford McKenna and her husband, Craige McKenna. He was immensely proud of his grandchildren, William Morgan Radford and Olivia Faye Radford, who were his pride and joy and brought great happiness to his life. He is also survived by his brother, Raymond, and his sisters, Sue and Penny, along with his extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Arthur Radford and Eunice Goad Radford; his brothers, Shade, Bud, Tom, Will, and Wayne; and his sisters, Mercedes and Tootsie.
In his later years, Junior enjoyed spending time with two good friends who became an important part of his everyday life. He would frequently visit his good friend and car mechanic, Tim McCoy, often stopping by to “pester” Tim at his shop on a weekly basis. Junior also enjoyed spending time with his buddy, Junior Linkous. The two would hang out, ride around, run errands, and, when they were together for the day, often make a stop at Tim’s shop. Those simple days, conversations, and friendships meant a great deal to him.
Junior will be remembered for his service to his country, his hard work, his independent spirit, his love of making a good deal, his quick wit, and most of all, his devotion to his family. He was especially proud of his grandchildren and carried the love of his wife with him throughout the years after her passing.
After faithfully visiting Janice every Sunday for more than eleven years, Junior passed away peacefully on a Sunday. Perhaps, after all those years of visiting her, he finally went home to her.
May he rest in peace, reunited with the woman he loved.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Horne Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
