William Bradford Couch of Alto Pass
William Bradford Couch, 68, of Alto Pass passed away on June 29, 2024, following a three-year battle with cancer.
Brad was born to Ben and Elizabeth Couch on Nov. 18,1955, at Bartholomew County Hospital in Columbus, Ind. The family later moved to Herrin, where Brad had fond memories of growing up in a small town, nurturing his independence and working at as young an age as was possible. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Herrin High School in 1973. Brad earned a BA in computer science from Southern Illinois University in 1980.
Over the years, Brad excelled as a leader in business process and technology. Brad held positions with prominent companies in the insurance, telecommunications and shipping industries. He became an expert in IT compliance and security. He retired in 2020 from Levi Strauss & Co. where he spent nearly 13 years specializing in IT risk management and compliance policies.
Brad spent most of his adult life in the Dallas, Texas area but returned to southern Illinois following his retirement. He found a home in a log cabin in the hills near Alto Pass.
Anyone who was lucky enough to know Brad is aware of his gentle spirit, wry sense of humor, incredible generosity and his love for music. Self-trained on the piano and guitar, Brad enjoyed playing with many bands over the years and was inspired by those he played with and the good friends he made along the way.
His greatest joy and proudest achievement were raising his daughter, Inez, whom he leaves behind. Dad, brother, uncle, friend –– Brad will be loved and greatly missed by the many people he touched in this life. He is survived by daughter Inez of Tulsa, Okla.; stepson Einar Longva of Seattle, Wash.; brother Tom (Cheryl) Couch of Carterville; sister Linda (Mark) Gates of Heath, Texas; brother Stephen (Carol) Couch of Britt, Iowa; as well as his seven nieces, three nephews, three great-nieces and one great-nephew. Also surviving are former wives Marie Delaney of Marion, Meredyth Phillips of Dallas, Texas, and Martha Vance Couch of Cashmere, Wash.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville assisted the family with cremation services. For more information, visit rigginpillatschburkefh.com.