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Willett Worthy Obituary
He was born April 29, 1939, in Toledo, the son of Willett J. Worthy and Katherine Mary (John), who preceded him in death.
Bill grew up in Shaker Heights and attended Kiski School, Duke University and was a graduate of Hiram College. He served in the United States Army in Germany.
He loved many things including good wine, cigars, grand ideas, theater, poetry, sudoko, Lake Erie sunsets, gardening, funny nicknames, the absurdity of life, his dog Gracie, and his family. He hated war and those who caused it, had a keen sense of irony and wished that all people could live with grace and dignity.
He avidly followed the stock market from his days as a banker at Cleveland Trust and a stock broker, through the end of his life. However, he was a farmer at heart, creating a vineyard and then winery in Madison in 1972.
As founder and proprietor of Grand River Wine Company, he provided the world with humor as well as award-winning wine. Over his more than 25 years at the winery, Bill hosted thousands for weddings and wakes, art shows and concerts, pig roasts and retirement parties. But his big love was theater, and he entertained many a devotee with the winery's annual theater offerings and even on occasion tried acting himself. He had lived in Madison for the past 39 years.
His pride and joy were his two children and five grandchildren. They will miss him very much.
He is survived by his wife, Carroll (Cass), who still loves him after 56 years; daughter, Adrienne (Brian) of Charleston, W.Va.; son, John (Gina) of Madison; grandchildren, Benjamin (Cabrina), Alexander and Willett Farkas-Worthy and Jack Jacob and Elizabeth Carroll Worthy; great-granddaughter, Ella Carroll; sister, Mary of Sandusky; niece, Kathy Mussell (Tony) of Huron and her family; and sister-in-law, Maudie (Lon) Bullman of Jacksonville, Fla. and her family.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2011, at Potti Funeral Home, 2726 Hubbard Road, Madison. A private, family service will be held Saturday.
The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association or the charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Willett Worthy
Clint Adams
March 24, 2011
Your family is in my prayers.
William & Mieko Worthy
March 21, 2011
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Nita Wyatt
March 21, 2011
Carroll and family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
March 21, 2011
Please accept my condolences on your loss of your loved one. He sounds like a fantastic person & my thoughts are with you and yours.
.......Patty Drake (Legal Aid)
Alvernita Coleman
March 21, 2011
Adreinne, i know all to well how it is to lose a loved one, the pain and heartache is going to be heavy at times, and you cry almost everyday, but it does get better each day, because you start to remember the good times you had, the laughter, the smiles, and being together, now its going to be rough when holidays come around, but just remember they are with you, and it will get easier as the days goes by, as long as you keep your father in your heart , you will never forget him and he will never leave you, just keep praying, keep your head up and your heart filled with joy, that one day you will be together again. this candle is a symbol of rememberance, laughter, joy, happines, and love, as long as this candle burns your love for your father will never go out, its the candle of life,this will always guide you through the hard times, when your feeling sad, lonely, depressed, happy,when you see the candle flicker, you know your father is with you. He will always love you. Love Alvernita Coleman
Nancy Fry
March 21, 2011
My God keep you and your family in his protecting hands during this time of loss and comfort in the many days to come
March 20, 2011
Dear A & family -- I hope you know that many prayers and vibes and much love are coming your way from CT. I so appreciated your father not only for who he was -- such a character! -- but for his part in raising my best friend. Love to your dear mother Caroll. D-Dodd
Heather & Joseph Garcia
March 20, 2011
Adrienne,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Maudie and Lon Bullman
March 19, 2011
To the entire Worthy Family,
As I sit at my computer trying to find the right words to say good-bye to my brother-in-law, I realize that he was not only a relative, but a darn good friend,
My wife and I shall never forget our tour thru his winery. He really knew his stuff and taught us a great deal about the wines he loved...
In fact I have I have sitting next to me my last bottle of Grand River Merlot.
We had plans to drink it in the near future, but it will now be put back into my wine rack where it will forever stay as a lasting tribute to our friend Bill.
Thanks Bill, I hope you have a glass of wine in your hand when we next meet...
Maudie and Lon Bullman,
Jacksonville, FL.
Richard Goldstein
March 19, 2011
dear Adrienne and family: I am sorry I never met your father. What a wonderful man! He obviously enjoyed life, worked hard and was thoughtful and giving. He brought pleasure to many people (and at least one dog). He was a true family man. He made a difference, and I believe that this world is a little worse for his loss.
Ken & Randi Peterson
March 19, 2011
Count us among the many whose lives were enriched by knowing Bill. We had some legendary parties at Grand River and Bill participated fully. Gone but never forgotten......
March 18, 2011
John, Gina and Carroll,
I am so sorry for your huge loss. What a great blessing that I had the joy of knowing Bill. Every time I see a kid in braces, my smile widens and my belly laughs for the memories of him loving my shiny smile way back when. My prayers are with all of you and praying for your strength at this time. Andrea Cicconetti-Booth
Jed Nolan
March 18, 2011
Adrienne, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Please take care of yourself and family during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gloria Shaffer
March 18, 2011
Adrienne and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. My mother passed in 1996, and I understand the difficulty of losing a parent. May God be with you.
March 18, 2011
Adrienne, I know this is a very hard time for you, and I hope you can take some comfort from knowing that your many friends - including myself - are sending you all our love and support. After reading your dad's obit, I wish I had had the privilege of knowing him personally, as he sounds like an incredibly wonderful man, who contributed far more than his share to make this world a better place for the rest of us. With love, Loren
Nancy, Buddy & Sammi Brown
March 18, 2011
Adrienne and family, we are sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers.
Meshea Poore
March 18, 2011
Adrienne,
Praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts.
Rita Gearhart
March 18, 2011
Adrienne, My heart goes out to you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
March 18, 2011
Adrienne, I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Robin Rice
Jodie Gardill
March 18, 2011
Adrienne,
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you & your family as you face this together.
Blessings,
March 18, 2011
Adrienne and Family: So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you in this difficult time. -- Valarie Maynard, Esq. and Family
Diane Young
March 18, 2011
Adrienne I am very sorry for your loss
Cathy Jo Keeten
March 18, 2011
Adrienne & Family,
I cannot imagine the grief that you and your family are going through right now and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If you need anything, please let us know.
Tami Handley
March 18, 2011
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Tami
Amanda & Keith Dailey
March 18, 2011
Adrienne & Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
March 18, 2011
Adrienne, I am so sorry that you have lost you father. My prayers are with you and your family. Let me know if there is anything that I can do.
Tina Faber
March 18, 2011
Prayers of comfort and peace to you and your family, Adrienne.
March 18, 2011
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Worthy made many wonderful things in his life and one that is most precious to us -- Adrienne. Wendy, Scott, Iris, and Max, (Lithia, Florida)
David, Brandi, Jacob & Jonah Carte
March 18, 2011
Adrienne & Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will continue to keep each of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Jay & Sherry Fabian
March 18, 2011
Carrol, our deepest condolences to you in your loss of Bill. Losing the 'GOMBAD' and the 'Chief' in the same 6 months is very hard to believe. These characters will NEVER be forgotten. Cherish their memories. May God's comfort be upon you and the family.
Robert Gaudio
March 18, 2011
Clare, David and I send our sincere condolences to Mr. Worthy's dear wife, family and friends. Adrienne is our good friend and colleague. May the Lord find a special place in eternity for Mr. Worthy to plant his vineyard. Rest in peace, Bill.
William Brashear
March 18, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. I will miss you Chief.
'Bullet' Bill
Susanna Holstein
March 17, 2011
What a beautiful tribute. He seemed to be a man who knew how to live life fully. Prayers for all of you, Adrienne.
March 17, 2011
What a great loss. So many great memories of a great man. Willett taught us all so much about life and living. So sorry to hear of your loss.
You are in our prayers. Tiny Braud and Ms. Canoe Star
Clara & Terry
March 17, 2011
Carroll, we are really going to miss our visits with you, Bill and Gracie. He made this crazy world a better place and will truly be missed.
March 17, 2011
I can not say in words all that Bill Worthy meant to me, they would be quickly censored. I have not seen Bill or Carroll in a couple of years, but you two have never been far from my thoughts and you never will. Thank you for being my friend. I am richer for it. Now that will be enough of that.
Bob "Mengele" Kilpatrick
March 17, 2011
John, Gina, Jack and Libby,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Your entire family will be in our prayers and thoughts. If you need anything, please just let us know.
Holly, Joe, Madelyn and Joely Zappitelli
March 17, 2011
John, Gina, Jack, & Libby, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if there is anything you need. Michele, Larry, Robbie, and Megan Armstrong
Lori Diemer
March 17, 2011
Carol adrian & John,
so very sorry to hear this news..Lori D
March 17, 2011
Adrienne, I am so sorry to read this news! Our deepest sympathy to your mother, and to you and your family. Ed and Janet Sency
Shannon & Andrew
March 17, 2011
John, Gina, Jack and Libby,
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
j
March 17, 2011
Enjoyed every bottle of wine we shared, Chief. Good times.
Scott Bauer
March 16, 2011
Carol, Adrian & J.W... so, so sorry to hear about Bill's passing.. our thoughts are with you - Scott & Mollie Bauer
Showing 1 - 43 of 43 results
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