Clayton B. Worden
Clayton Blair Worden, N8330 Hickory Lane, Beaver Dam, died on Sunday, June 28, 2009, after a seven year battle with cancer.
Clayton was born on July 26, 1930, at the Kenosha Hospital in Kenosha, the son of Lyman H. Worden and Louise (Ellis) Worden. Clayton grew up in Kenosha and as a young teenager he got an after school job at Bill Pester's Riding Stable, where he developed a love for horses and learned to ride and care for them. He also drove many hay rides and sleigh rides throughout the years. Later he moved to Milwaukee and worked at the Marion Brown Stable to further his education in becoming a horse trainer. The Brown Stable specialized in American Saddlebred show horses. Clayton went on to training jobs at Oakwood Farms in Hartland and the W.R. Brown Stable in Milwaukee. From 1951 to 1953, Clayton served in the army where he spent his tour of duty in Germany. He was an electrician for the 432nd Engineer Construction Battalion in Kaiserslautern, Germany. In 1955, Clayton moved to Beaver Dam. From 1956 to 1974, he was employed at Beaver Specialties, Inc. as a cutter and later a supervisor. Then from 1974 to 1986, he was with the Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Co. where he was a supervisor in the cutting and pre-fit departments. In 1986, Clayton opened an upholstery shop at 205 N. Spring St. In 1997, he closed the door at the store downtown and moved Worden's Upholstery to his home on Hickory Lane, where he continued operation until the time of his death.
Clayton was preceded in death by his father Lyman in 1959, his brother Clark in 1968, his mother Louise in 1975, and his wife of 32 years, Bernice in 1983.
After the death of Bernice, Clayton went on to marry Nancy Wright on March 30, 1985.
Clayton is survived by his loving wife Nancy, who has stood by his side and been a constant support during his seven year battle with cancer. He is also survived by his four children, Richard Alan Worden and wife Debra (Neumann), Patricia Lynn Maddox and husband Lonnie, Gary Clark Worden and wife Cynthia (Ripp), and John Clayton Worden and wife Hollie (Coles). Clayton also enjoyed six grandchildren, Michael DiFiore, Danielle Worden, Bradley Worden and wife Jill (Nothem), Craig Worden, Andrea Worden and Amelia "Mia" Worden, and three great-grandchildren. He has two sister-in-laws, Kathy Roit and husband Ronald and Gayle Wilson and husband Larry. There is one brother-in-law, James Wright, a special aunt, Margaret Cleland, and many nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam with the Rev. Kurtis Mau officiating. A visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at the Koepsell Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, and also on Thursday, July 2, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place in Highland Memory Gardens, town of Trenton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church, or to the family.
Koepsell Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.