James “Bud” Alfred Worden passed away on January 20th, 2024, in his home, surrounded by family after playing his favorite game, dominoes. Bud was a master craftsman who made a positive impact across central Missouri through his construction work and community service. Over the years, Bud donated his talents to many projects at the Hallsville Historical Society and Red Top Christian Church.
Bud was born in Yount, Missouri, on June 16, 1931. He grew up in the hills of Washington County with his parents Roy and Olive Warden, five brothers, and five sisters. Coincidentally, Bud shared a crib as a baby with his future wife Wilma Jean Morgan when their families lived together for a short time. Bud and Jean eventually married on December 23, 1949. He said that was “the best decision I ever made.”
Bud is a Marine. He answered his country’s call to duty and served in the United States Marine Corp for 2 years from May 1952 to May 1954. Afterwards, Bud worked as the foreman for a construction company that specialized in bank remodels. As he and Jean were starting their family, Bud’s job moved them frequently from town to town across the Midwest.
Bud, Jean, and their children ultimately settled in Boone County, MO, in 1960, a decision Bud called “the second-best decision I ever made.” In 1973 Bud and his sons built their house in Hallsville, MO, by their own hands. Bud worked as the Superintendent for Knipp Construction in Columbia, MO, for over thirty years. Each of the children graduated from high school in Hallsville where Bud served a term as the President of the school board.
Bud was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing with family and friends.
After his retirement in 1990, Bud remained active in his woodshop, tended a garden each year, and gave away the bounty to his family and neighbors. Bud and Jean enjoyed attending grandkids’ events wherever they may be. Bud never missed a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game broadcast on the radio. Bud attended every Worden and Morgan family reunion in Washington County and was famous for his homemade pecan pie and hand-cranked banana ice cream.
To his family, Bud was a true hero and a family man who instilled a love of laughter, a respect for hard work, a value in service, and a spirit of generosity.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Worden, and daughter, Kathi Worden. He is survived by his sons Kent (wife Frances), Alan (wife Sandy), Neal, and daughters Shelley Worden and Paula Smith (husband Terry), seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held 12:00 PM, Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Red Top Christian Church in Hallsville, Missouri. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service, Saturday at the church. Pastor Sheila Colley will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the KAT6 foundation to support his great-granddaughter, Moira Jean Worden, at www.kat6foundation.org. Funds will support individuals and their families who are living with the very rare genetic syndromes, KAT6A and KAT6B.
Arrangements under the direction of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home in Centralia.
Online condolences may be left at www.fentonkendrickfh.com
