Bradford loves driving for Cedar Hill ISD

Cedar Hill—When Willie Bradford starts his bus route each morning and afternoon, he makes sure he’s smiling. 

“We’re the first people the kids see in the morning,” Bradford said. ‘We have to lift their spirits.” 

Bradford, 72, grew up in Dallas but has lived in Cedar Hill for the past 50 years. He joined Cedar Hill ISD as a bus driver three years ago and drives Bus #328 to Lake Ridge Elementary School and Cedar Hill High School. 

“I wanted a job where I live, and I love Cedar Hill,” Bradford said. “I’d always wanted to be a bus driver. Growing up, my next-door neighbor was a bus driver, and I’d clean the bus for him.” 

Bradford worked as a truck driver, and later as a dispatcher, warehouse supervisor, and administrator for Major Supply Incorporated in Dallas for 44 years. 

After retiring from Major Supply, Bradford was looking for a different type of job. He found it as a bus driver. 

“The students inspire me,” Bradford said. “When they do something wrong, I tell them what they did and how to correct it. When we get to the railroad track, nobody will talk. They have to turn off their devices. They asked why. I tell them ‘I want to be able to hear that train coming, and I want you to be able to respect that train. You are my precious cargo that I’m driving. Your parents are putting their trust in me to get you to school and get you home.’” 

Each winter, Bradford purchases Santa Claus hats for the Lake Ridge students on his bus and presents them with bus-themed trophies. 

“I’m not going to give it to them if they didn’t earn it,” said Bradford, a father of CHISD graduates and grandfather of current High Pointe Elementary students. 

When it comes to driving the bus for high school students, Bradford set the rules at the beginning and has never had an issue. 

“I told them, ‘on this bus, I want everyone to learn to respect each other,’” Bradford said. “I’ve been here three years, and I’ve never written up a high school kid or had to say anything. The word got around that if you ride on my bus, you’re going to follow the rules.” 

In the late 1960s, Bradford was one of the first students to integrate into Seagoville High School. He experienced racism there, and during his time in Cedar Hill, before the community became more diverse. 

Graduating high school in 1972, Bradford earned a football scholarship to East Texas State (now, East Texas A&M) in Commerce. After a few days there, he came home to take care of his ailing father, who he considered to be his best friend. 

After Bradford’s father passed away, it was too late to continue playing college sports, so he began coaching. He’s been a youth sports coach in Dallas for the past 51 years. 

Bradford said he was truly inspired when he heard new CHISD Superintendent Dr. Maria Gamell’s Convocation Speech on Aug. 8. 

“She had a lot of energy, and she’s going to make a difference,” Bradford said. “She’s a go-getter. She inspired me a lot. Her message really touched my heart, and I told her it did.” 

SOURCE Cedar Hill ISD