William (Will, Bill) John Madden III was born June 15, 1938 in Brainerd, Minnesota. Will passed suddenly of cardiac arrest in Santa Barbara, CA on Oct.30, 2017. Will enjoyed writing, wrote human interest stories for our local Lompoc paper and was darn good at it. Much of his obituary is taken from his writings from over the years. He loved Brainerd. He had a childhood anyone would envy. His father and mother, William J and Margaret G Madden (both deceased) developed the famous Madden Lodge in Northern Minnesota. Will said from his father he learned generosity, compassion, and the belief that anyone can make a difference. From his mother he learned humor, patience, and combined they were amazing examples of creativity and entrepreneurship.

Will adored his family. His older sister Peggy Cochran, her two children Jeanne and Chris, his younger sister Judy Perrizo (deceased)and her three children Sean, Thomas and Susan. He loved talking about fond memories and was delighted every time he was able to contact any of them.

His youth at the lodge was idealic. During the summer he loved working with family at the lodge. His favorite thing was loading up his sweet cocker spaniel with the trash in their pickup and singing their way to the dump. He also enjoyed helping the "guests" with their boats out on the lake. Then he received a magic kit for Christmas and that was to become a lifelong endeavor. He started by giving magic shows every summer in the Opera House in the addition to the lodge called Lumber Town.

He wrote, school was difficult. He chaffed at the rigidity of the Benedictine Sisters. But, he learned great respect for their dedication to a life of service, rather than material wealth. This was to influence Will for the rest of his life. He never cared about material possessions, but he was so proud of winning the Minnesota state history contest and a trip to meet the President. He said Nixon was brief in his greeting, but Minnesota state Senator Hubert Humphrey made them feel important.

He then attended Georgetown in DC briefly then back to Minnesota where he graduated with a degree in Anthropology. He spent a year studying in Berlin before the wall went up. Then to Japan for a summer where he developed a lifelong love of their culture and food! He made great sushi and stir fry! Over his lifetime Will traveled extensively, even traveled to every state.

When he returned, it was the '60's and California was calling his name. So, this Minnesota boy was off to attend University of Berkeley. He learned pretty quick he was not in Brainerd anymore! Lots of stories from this part of Will's life, but that would take a book. He did develop some magic tricks that have become quite famous with the magic crowd. Look up Gorpy on Wikipedia. That's Will's.

While he still professed to be Catholic, friends told him he sounded more like a Unitarian. So, he went to check it out and found his "home." So much so that two months later he applied to Thomas Starr King school for Religious Leadership. Stayed for two years, left went back in 1982 to obtain his Masters in Divinity.

He says he felt so privileged in his life, he was called to give back. He spent a year in Alaska teaching high school Aleuts, Eskimos and others on well fare. The Civil Rights struggles were at their peak at this time, once again he felt called to help. It was 1964 and three white civil rights workers had been murdered by the Klan. Will was told if he was going he needed to buy the fastest old muscle car he could afford. He ended up training in Mississippi, then was assigned to register voters and sit as counters in restaurants with people of color. The Southerners were furious. Within days Will was driving his car with a group of people of color and white people. A car pulled up behind them with obvious bad intentions. Will said the Klan in that car only saw their dust. Thank God for muscle cars.

After this adventure, he did so many other things, and ended up in Berkeley again. He became involved in the human potential movement where he met Kathleen, who he married. She gave him three children he loved. Rosemary Benns and her son Sterling, Sean Madden and his little one's Ellie and Ivy and Margaret Madden and her sweet girl, Margo. He even became the first man to be allowed to attend his wife's three Cesarean section births, it was at Marin General Hospital.

As many things in life eventually change, while he and Kathleen maintain a relationship that their children say they are very grateful for, they eventually divorced. Will moved to Houston, to be near his buddies Brad and Ron. He continued to explore religious study. He helped set up men's groups in Houston and was a Chaplin for Hospice. Will loved to this day, starting groups and getting people together.

Will and Judy Marie Bezanson Gurney met in 2009, had many adventures and fun, decided to marry on June 28, 2010 in Cambria, CA. Moved to Will's townhouse in a cohousing community in Nevada City, CA. While he and Judy enjoyed the experience, milder weather and being closer to children was calling. Judy's son Michael, and Will were sports buddies. Will, a diehard Vikings fan as one might imagine.

Will led an amazing life, so full. One of the things he said was that he was so glad he lived to see Barack Obama elected President. Ever the optimist, he still felt even though we are troubled now, it would all be ok!

Come help us celebrate Will's life and share stories you may have the rest of us do not know. December 3, 2017 at 11:30AM to 2PM in the Willows Club House. It is a potluck, alcohol free, bring a story about Will. Wear your team shirt or hat if you want. Of course, if you have a Vikings shirt, perfect!

Please park in Visitor Parking or along V Street

You may like to remember Will with a contribution to United Cerebral Palsy, Work Inc, Will Madden Memorial at 5320 Carpinteria Ave Ste. G Carpinteria, CA 93013. The artist at their Sundial Studios are designing a mural depicting various facets of Will's life. UCPWORKING.ORG