William Worthy

William Worthy

November 22, 1970 - March 12, 2025

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Obituary

MADISON - William “Bill” Worthy, 54, passed away on March 12, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Madison, Wis., on November 22, 1970, and graduated in 1992 from Madison East High School.


A man of few words, Bill expressed himself through his art. He had a deep love for drawing and especially enjoyed creating sketches with ballpoint pens, favoring black, blue, and red ink. He found happiness in life’s simple pleasures-his favorite foods, music (often dancing along), long car rides, shooting hoops, fishing and boat rides.


For 13 years, Bill was supported by Rise Up Inc., whose devoted caregivers helped him live independently in the Madison community. Through the job coaching support of Integrated Community Work Inc., he built a successful 20-year career at Transit Solutions, where he was a dedicated and hardworking employee.


He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian M. Worthy; and grandparents, Matilda and James Cherry. He is survived by his second cousin, Joeanne Wilson, and her son, Christopher.


A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Entombment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park.
 

Bill will be remembered for his creativity, his wry smile, and the many joyful moments he brought to those who knew him.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to Rise Up Inc., 101 Knob Hill, Madison, WI 53713 or at www.iriseup.org, to support the work of the caregivers who enriched his life. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420



Events

24
Visitation
Thu Apr 24, 2025 @ 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
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SS
Steph Stringer
Other •
It has been an honor and a privilege to have served ten years as Bill's guardian. Thank you to EVERYONE who has provided such compassionate supports over the years, to ensure that he was able to live independently, safely, and as a free human being, in this Madison community. His life lived was that of great quality and impacted me deeply. May he Rest in Peace. ~Steph Stringer
JW
Joeanne Wilson
Other •
On behalf of the Worthy family a special thank you to Stephanie, Kelly, Jane and the Rise Up team for taking care of Bill , it's greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten thank you. Joeanne Wilson
JP
Jennifer Pryor
Other •
I have very fond memories of Billy. One of my favorite people to care for. I will definitely miss him and taking him to get his afternoon snack. It wouldn’t be Billy if he didn’t try to get you to buy him an extra snack 😂 and he definitely would get me sometimes but it was our little secret. Love you Billy you will be missed 😞 Your ICW family
RB
Robert Braam
Other •
Bill was my first person to job coached 29 years ago. I picked him up at his home on Willy st and would take him to the bank where he would go in and cash a check for his money for the day. If he was bowling that day he would want chicken bones is what he called chicken wings. And he was a pretty good bowler with his unique throwing of the ball half way down the aisle with his big wind up before he would release the ball. I had many great memories with Bill and he will be surly missed by all.

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