William Ralph Bridges, Sr.

William Ralph Bridges Sr., 82, of Wake Forest, NC was called to his heavenly home March 9, 2021, at Transitions Life Care Hospice House in Raleigh.

Ralph is survived by his wife Marjorie (mama, sug) of nearly 60 years (meeting and falling in love and getting married after one week), daughter Paula Wilder (Cliff), son William (Shelley), grandchildren Ashleigh (his “Booger”) Wilder Weymann (Ryan), Austin and Isabella (Izzie) Bridges, and great grandchildren Cooper and Payton (Petunia or “P”) Weymann.  Ralph is also survived by brothers Steve (Faye) and Ted (Betty) Bridges, and sister-in-law Sarah Bridges.  Preceding Ralph in death were parents Elmo and Lena Bridges, and brother Bob Bridges.

Ralph worked at Holden Cotton Company Wake Forest and later moved to Roxboro as a cotton buyer for Roxboro Yarns in 1967. The family lived there until returning to Wake Forest in 1978.  He worked with Gary Smith as plant manager for Q-Line Corp. in Raleigh until they closed down, was a member of Glen Royal Baptist Church in Wake Forest, and was a veteran of the NC Army National Guard.

His passions were foremost God, his family, Tennessee Walking horses, outdoors, and farming. He was successful raising and showing TWH until his second heart surgery in 2008.  Ralph loved hosting pig pickins, parties, and celebrations with family and friends.  He continued boarding horses until selling the farm in 2019.  Some of his boarders he considered family are Dawn Valentino, Suzanne Brown, Hilda Miller, and Fred Williams (Sherred). 

Ralph was a man that loved his family with all his heart; when they married, he told Marjorie that he got married to stay home and that he did.

A celebration of life will be Saturday, March 13 from 1:00 until 3:00 at the home of Steve and Faye Bridges 3139 Horseshoe Rd, Creedmoor NC, right around the corner from where Ralph lived. No suits or ties are allowed; he would not want that at all.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 in his name.   http://giftfunds.stjude.org/Ralph_Bridges

Cremation arrangements will be handled by close family friend, Marvin Strickland, at Strickland and Jones Memorial Funeral Services, Roxboro, NC.  Online condolences may be made at stricklandandjonesfs.com.

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