ALDERMAN, WILLIAM BRADFORD (1912~2000) William Bradford Alderman,journalist, historian, and member of the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Memorial Naval Museum Commission, was born June 3, 1912, in Vernon, Texas to William Colin Alderman of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and Ila Bradford of Palestine, Texas.
After early school days in Wilbarger County, Alderman worked for the Texas Highway Department and during World War II, was attached to the U. S. Corp. of engineers constructing the Pan American Highway through Nicaragua. While in Central America, he made life long friends and developed a love of the Latin culture and people.
On a trip to call on editor and columnist, Lynn Landrum of the Dallas Morning News, Bill met his future bride, Elora "Scoop" Buck, who was a reporter for the News. After a whirlwind courtship, the two planned to marry. However due to circumstances beyond his control, he was 76 hours late for their wedding!
Following the stint with the Highway Department, Bill and two friends, Wood Hall and Ken Lively created Texas Parade Magazine from the Texas Good Roads Association in-house magazine. He became editor and then publisher of Texas Parade Magazine, "telling the story of Texas" for many years. He was a distinguished journalist and also historian of Texas and would travel with his wife and daughter to all parts of Texas for research, photographs, and "exploring."
Alderman was appointed by Governor Price Daniel to serve on the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and was instrumental in expanding the Nimitz Museum in Fredricksburg, Texas, as well as obtaining World War II relics added to the museum's historical collection. The comedian, Bob Hope, participated in fund raising for the museum.
In addition, he served on the Board of Westminister Manor in Austin for 25 years, assisting with expansion of the life care center and the addition of the Manor Hospital. Alderman was a member of the downtown Austin Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and when he and Elora were traveling, was a visiting Rotarian, collecting Rotary banners from numerous cities in the U. S. and foreign countries. The Aldermans sponsored a Rotary fellowship student from France in their home. They were active with the University of Texas International Hospitality Committee for many years, introducing foreign students at UT to Texas hospitality. Each year, they would "adopt" a new student, but also retained the previous students and their friends. Alderman was also a member of Sigma Delta Chi, a journalism fraternity. The Aldermans were a team, in their love of one another, and their interest in Texas history, politics, traveling and devotion to their church. They had a knack for collecting friends from all over the world, which developed into lifelong visitations.
Alderman passed away on August 6, 2000, at his home in Mesquite, Texas and was buried in the Texas State Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Elora, a daughter, Katy Alderman Scarborough, and a grandson, Lee.
Information taken from obituary, Austin American-Statesman, Sunday, August 13, 2000. |
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