Bridges Family Reunion

Born March 14, 1929, in Earl,North Carolina. William was the 12th child born to Joe and Senora. 

Growing up as the youngest boy, William often found himslef taing direction from his older brothers when it came to work inthe fields and chores in the family. He has stated many times that Dewood, his oldest brother, often felt like his father and received that level of respect from him al his life.

William was perhaps the most accomplished athlete of the brothers and was recongized as a star basketball player during his years at Washington High School where he was graduated in 1949. He entered the U.S. Army in 1951 and served during the late stages of the Korean War. A speacialist in air-to-ground artillery combat, he played a major role in orienting new arrivals to the historic black airman from Tuskegee as they entered the war. Following the first two-year tint, he reenlisted for an additional tour between 1953 and 1955.

As a young man, William moved to New York City in 1956. He was to spend the next 35 years in the city and in neighboring Teneck, New Jersy, working and building a family life. He met Mary Phillips who had relocated to New York City from Murfreesboro, North Carolina, and they were married in 1970. Mary's children were embraced by the union:

Christopher Phillips        Vivian Phillips        Ray Reed

Granddaugther LaShawn Hightower grew yp with the love and support of the family. William and Mary had the opportunity to work together na number of occupations inthetransportation industry in New York City. They both retired from the New York Transit Authority in 1991 and returned to North Carolina where they restored ans expanded te last home site of Joe and Senora in Cleveland County near Waco.

Let a "real man's" character speak for him in the way that he walks, talks and leads by example. Let these things be an indication of his love for himself and for his family...

He is an example to his children although not of flesh and blood, but by God's love. He is the MAN of thehouse, and his tolerance tempered wiht kindness, wisdom, and understanding exceeds anything we can imagine. He stands beside his wife-respecting her, protecting her, comforting her, providing for her, and loving her above al else. He is our husband, father, grandfather,a nd most importantly, our friend.