COLUMBUS
William R. “Willie” Hovden, 84, of Columbus, passed from this life at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at Kindred Transitional Care & Rehabilitation of Columbus.
Mr. Hovden was born March 13, 1933, in Greenfield, Montana, the son of Lars and Bertha Bereth Hovden. He married Phyllis J. Lahne May 29, 1955.
Mr. Hovden was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War and was stationed at Bakalar Air Force Base.
Mr. Hovden was an electrician by trade and was the manager of HVAC at Cummins Engine Company, retiring in 1985 after 29 years of service. He later was the president of R.T. & W. Inc., retiring in 2013 after 28 years of service.
He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus.
His daughter, Julie, remembers her father… “My dad was the touchstone of my life. He was the consummate golfer, electrician, and gardener. He was incredibly wise and a blessing to all who knew him.”
Survivors include his daughter, Julie Hovden-Jordan and her husband, Royce Collins, of Columbus; and sisters, Margaret Owen of Choteau, Montana and Betty (Bob) Nelson of Fairfield, Montana.
Mr. Hovden was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Phyllis, February 16, 2014; brothers, Roy and Lloyd Hovden; and sisters, Mabel Stephens and Eilean Converse.
The funeral will be conduced at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with the Rev. Patrick Galligar officiating.
Family and friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Monday.
Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery. Full military rites will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bartholomew County Humane Society or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
