Career
Born in Morgantown, Kentucky, Bratcher was a Sergeant in the United States Army during World World War II, from 1941 to 1945, and then received an Bachelor of Laws from the University of Louisville in 1947. He was a County attorney of Butler County, Morgantown, Kentucky from 1950 to 1953. He was a Chief Assistant United States. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky from 1953 to 1955, thereafter entering private practice in Owensboro, Kentucky from 1956 to 1970.
On October 7, 1970, Bratcher was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky created by 84 Statistics
294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 13, 1970, and received his commission on October 16, 1970. He served as chief judge from 1976 until his death in July, 1977.