Willis I. Scadden

Willis I. “Bill” Scadden passed away Saturday, June 22, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 23, 1929, in Hazel Green, WI, on the family farm, the son of Lancelot R. and Almedia A. (nee Addison) Scadden. Bill attended grade school and high school in Hazel Green, where many generations of his family had also attended. Upon graduation from high school, he earned his undergraduate degree from Wisconsin State Teacher’s College, Platteville, WI, and his masters from UW-Stout in Menomonee, WI. Bill then served our country in the US Army from 1951-1953. After being discharged from the military, Bill’s first teaching position was at Random Lake High School. He continued to work in the Vocational Departments of Sheboygan Falls, East Troy and Hartford Union High Schools. Later in his career Bill worked for five years at Viacom directing community access and local programming operations. Bill married Joyce Arline Rosenthal at Immanuel United Church of Christ in West Bend on June 7, 1958. Together they raised two daughters, Holly and Heidi. For 60 years, Masonry played a significant role in Bill’s life. He was the Past Master of Hartford Masonic Lodge #120 F.&A.M., Past President of Washington-Ozaukee Shrine Club, Ambassador and Regional Ambassador for the Tripoli Temple Washington-Ozaukee Counties, Potentates Aide of the Tripoli Temple Milwaukee for nine years, Associate General Chairman Wisconsin Shrine All-Star High School Football Game, and a Committee Member for the Masonic All-Star Soccer Game. From 1968-1976 and 1979-1982, Bill served on the Hartford City Council for 11 years and held the following posts: Chairman of the Public Works, Utilities, Hartford Emergency Squad, License and Judicial, Mayors Cable Television Committees, co-chairman of the Finance and Labor, Council representative on the Recreation, Airport, downtown Revitalization, Area Development, Remodeling of the city Public Library Committees. He also served three years on the Hartford Common School Board, two years as Vice President, and served on the following committees: Negotiating, Administration Advisory, Curriculum Update, Building and Long Range Planning. Bill also served the First United Methodist Church, chairing the following committees: Administration Board, merger of two churches, church property, land purchase, building a new church, church fund raising drives that paid off the mortgage in four years. In his retirement, Bill and Joyce enjoyed many Januaries in Bradenton Beach at the condo on the beach, as well as other trips to New England, Arizona, California, South Carolina, and cruises to Scandinavia and Russia, Alaska, New York and down the St. Lawrence Seaway. He loved to garden and enjoyed raising flowers, and found serenity through his beautiful gardens. Bill enjoyed feeding the birds in his yard. He enjoyed his grandchildren at many school and church activities. Bill enjoyed entertaining the children through Shriners with his impersonation of Mickey Mouse! He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Edward (MaryLou) Scadden, and his sister Louella (L.W. “Red”) May. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Joyce Scadden, his cherished daughters Holly (Robert) Gassner and Heidi (Rex) Miller and his dear grandchildren Justin and Janel Gassner, Ali, August, and Aubre Miller. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, June 28, 2013 from 5-7 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 738 West Monroe Street, Hartford. Masonic Service will follow at 7 PM at the Church, under the auspices of Hartford Masonic Lodge #120 F.&A.M., followed by the Memorial Service with Rev. Paul Johnsen officiating. Interment Washington County Memorial Park, West Bend, on Saturday, June 29 at 9:30 AM. Memorials to the First United Methodist Church of Hartford, Shriners Children’s Hospital or the American Heart Association would be appreciated. The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home - Hartford is serving the family. www.berndt-ledesma.com

Willis I. Scadden

November 23, 1929 - June 22, 2013