In Loving Memory of Reed William Worden of Fairport, NY. Reed passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 6th, 2025, at the young age of 79. Reed was born in Belmont, NY, the youngest of 3 boys. At 18, he was drafted into the Army to serve his country in the Vietnam War. After returning from war, on August 15th 1969, Reed married the love of his life, Carol, and they spent the next 45 years living & loving life together before Carol passed away in 2014 to multiple myeloma.
Reed was predeceased by his parents Roger and Dortha (Snyder) Worden, brothers Robert A. Worden and Roger D. Worden, and wife Carol Ann (Finnegan).
Reed is survived by his daughter, affectionately called ‘Sweets’, Catie Peck (Alex) of Fairport, NY. A beloved and committed family member, he is survived by his sister-in-law Nancy Grouse (Lynn) of Fairport NY, nephew Larry Grouse and great nieces and nephews through the Grouse family. ‘Uncle Bill’ was the affectionate nickname for the Worden family patriarch & he is survived by more than 30 cherished Worden nieces & nephews. Reed was also well loved by the Peck family of Fairport, NY. A long-time animal lover, he also leaves behind 3 cats: Peggy Sue, Buddy and Bootsie.
After returning from his time in the Army, Reed obtained a Bachelor’s of Accounting degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He went on to hold many professional jobs however, Reed’s true calling was his role as ‘Big Daddy’. A stay-at-home Dad for many years to his daughter Catie, they enjoyed the simple life together and he treated her with kindness, patience, gentleness and humor. During her childhood they could be found riding bikes together, walking to school, playing in the family pool, swinging at Perinton Park, going sledding behind Brooks Hill school, or driving around Catie’s friends in a minivan in the village of Fairport, NY. He showed unconditional love and unwavering support towards his daughter throughout her entire life and truly shined most in his role as husband to Carol and father to Catie.
Silly and playful, he often had a song in his heart or a cheerful announcement for the family, whether it was ‘Rise & Shine! It’s another beautiful Day in Raiderville!’ to begin a morning in Fairport, or one of the many songs he would sing at Christmastime, including an impromptu “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. A huge lover of holidays and celebrations, until his death, he dutifully changed the holiday flags around his property to mark important dates and was known by many for being the first ‘Happy Birthday!’ or ‘Happy Anniversary!’. He truly believed in celebrating everything, and his infectious, jolly spirit was a joy on special occasions.
Reed embodied the values of service, integrity, humility, patience, humor, and love -and this was nowhere more visible than in his long marriage to Carol. Together, they enjoyed owning a family property in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, as well as planning many fishing and camping trips together. They loved playing cards with friends or having an ice cream date. A favorite evening would be going to catch a ‘flick’ at Regal movie theaters. For several years before Carol died, Reed was a very loving and patient caregiver as she battled cancer, never complaining and instead finding much connection in this role.
A man of faith, Reed was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for almost 60 years, joining in 1967 alongside his wife Carol and attending the local ward located on Kreag Road in Fairport. He accepted various responsibilities in the church, greatly enjoying genealogy support, and he regularly served at the Palmyra, NY LDS temple in his later years. A favorite memory with the church for Reed was his years of involvement with the Hill Cumorah pageant in Palmyra, NY.
Reed enjoyed fishing and recalled growing up fishing with his father. Having traveled often throughout his life, usually by road trip, he was proud to have visited every state, finishing with a trip to Alaska with his daughter and son-in-law in 2016. Happy tinkering in the garage, basement, yard, or barn, Reed could easily fix things with his hands and was skilled at painting. When inside, you could most often find him with a huge Diet Pepsi, a bowl of popcorn, a western playing on TV and a hearty chuckle. In his later years he became more active in the Vietnam Veteran community at times traveling to Engineer Corp. reunions and often attending the local VA.
‘Big Daddy’ was a big personality in many ways- he had a big laugh, a big appetite, a big stature, a big heart and a big home on South Main Street in Fairport that he lived in with his family since 1984. The home that he and his wife loved was filled with music, laughter, family, his daughter’s friends, church members/missionaries and many, many well loved cats, dogs and small creatures… all of whom were gently cared for by Reed.
Reed lived his life to provide love for and build lasting memories with his family. The simple pleasures in life were all he needed to be content and peaceful. He didn’t sweat the small stuff, and truly, everything was the small stuff.
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday May 21st, from 4pm-6pm at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford- Palmyra Rd. Fairport, NY 14450
A Celebration of Life for Reed will be held on Thursday May 22nd, at 9:30 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 460 Kreag Rd. Pittsford, NY 14534
A Burial Service will be held immediately after the service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Orchard Street/Summit Street in Fairport, NY 14450In lieu of flowers, in Reed’s memory, donations may be made to Honor Flight Rochester; through this organization, Reed was beautifully celebrated for his service to his country Donations – Honor Flight Rochester
12 responses to “Worden, Reed William”
Reed was easy to love. I’ve known him and Carol for over 40 years.He was there in good times and more importantly when you needed someone to lean on. I will truely miss my true friend.
Reed was my best friend. He was my Ministering Brother and we often rode to the Palmyra Temple together on Thursday mornings. He was very active in church with the Single Adults Group. I can’t see to drive at night, so Reed would kindly give me a ride. He was my brother from another mother. His loving kindness and generosity will not be forgotten. Reed loved the Lord and served Him beautifully. We will miss Brother Reed. God bless the family in this time
Great man! Always kind and engaging.
Sorry for your loss Catie. He was a good man and loving father. May he rest in peace🙏
One of the best men ever! Always a chuckle and a kind word whenever you saw him.
I have known Bill since I was a little kid. Spent of hours fishing with him and his dad. I will always cherish those times and memories.
What a wonderful tribute- so sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Uncle Bill, was that Uncle you see portrayed in all those Hollywood movies. Always jolly, always keeping in touch, always generous with his time and his love for us. You are gone too soon Uncle Bill. I will miss you. But, comforted knowing you are with Carol, your brothers and grandma and Grandpa Worden. Love, Cheri
When Kathleen and I served with the Single Adults, Reed was always one to be counted on. He had a quiet dignity that I admired deeply. When I met with him on occasion I felt I was in the presence of greatness and a true disciple of the Lord.
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in Reed’s passing.
We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.
Reed was a solid man, with integrity, kindness, and friendliness. I always looked forward to seeing him at church where he set by the door entering the chapel. I could always feel his love and kindness to all who entered in.
I will miss him.
Reed was a good man who loved and cared for his family and willingly served others. He was a quiet, gentle person who respected people of all ages. He will be missed by many, but never forgotten.