Samuel Bruce Wolford “Bop” Samuel Bruce Wolford was born on December 24, 1959, to Don and Elizabeth Wolford. Sam was diagnosed with atypical Alzheimer’s disease and primary progressive aphasia in 2023. He passed peacefully from this earth on July 1, 2026, surrounded by his family. Sam was an old-school engineer who grew up taking apart remote-control cars, radios, and motors. At just 15 years old, he began working at his father’s business, Metal Research, where he quickly developed into a master machinist. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1984 and briefly worked at SCI before returning to Metal Research as CEO where he worked alongside his family. He retired from Metal Research in 2024 following his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Sam graduated from Guntersville High School in 1978, where he was a county champion wrestler in the lightweight division. He was known for his incredible strength despite his small size and remained physically strong until the end. Sam married his high school sweetheart, Norma Kate Brannum, in 1980. Together, they attended UAH, where Sam worked in a co-op program at Wiley Laboratories to support them while they completed their degrees. Sam and Norma Kate were blessed with three children: Waid, Caitlin, and Amelia. Sam enjoyed coaching their soccer, basketball, and softball teams throughout their childhood. He was immensely proud of his children and never missed an opportunity to brag about their accomplishments to anyone willing to listen. Sam had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. He hiked to the summit of Uluru in Australia, trekked rim to rim across the Grand Canyon, hiked sections of the Appalachian Trail, and scuba dived in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. He also enjoyed sailing in the Caribbean with friends. He especially loved family trips to Orange Beach with his children and grandchildren. He was also a longtime Corvette enthusiast and was often spotted driving around town with a golden retriever in the passenger seat (top down, of course). Sam is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Norma Kate Wolford; his son, Waid Wolford (Keri); his daughters, Caitlin Clevenger (Andrew) and Amelia Wolford (Scott Craig); his grandchildren, Sam Wolford, Saylor Wolford, and Pruett Clevenger; his siblings, Don Wolford Jr. (Susan), Drusilla Buckley (Mark), Jeff Wolford (Angie), and Jonathan Wolford (Anita). He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Elizabeth Wolford. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Sam’s dear friends—George Gillen, Larry Boggus, Ryan Boggus, and Mitch Coby—who continued to take him golfing, out to lunch, and for rides in his beloved Corvette for as long as possible. Their friendship brought him great joy and meant more than words can express.
