William "Bill" Eldon Hodgden

William (Bill) Hodgden, age 61, of Perham Minnesota, was born on October 5, 1963 in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Kenneth and Carol (Council) Hodgden. Bill considered Oxford Junction, Iowa, his home town where he spent most of his childhood. Bill was a proud veteran and former member of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, often recalling his time of “jumping out of airplanes, back when we were bad***es.” He carried deep pride for having served his country and never lost the grit and humor that came with it.

Raised in a proud logging family, Bill learned early the value of hard work, grit and determination. The woods became both a livelihood and a way of life, and he often carried with him the stories, strength, and humor that came from a family rooted in logging. That background fostered in him a lifelong love for the outdoors and a knack for working with his hands. Bill especially enjoyed woodworking, creating projects that reflected his practical skills and his creativity. From logging Bill moved on to achieving his contractor license and went on to doing construction for 15 years.

An outdoorsman at heart, Bill enjoyed “all the things men like to do”–trapping, hunting, fishing, beekeeping, gardening, and spending time with his wife, Tracy, and the family.

Those left to honor his memory include his mother, Carol Hodgden of Menahga; his wife and partner, Tracy Hodgden; his children, Michael (Emily) Hodgden of Wadena, Matthew (Katie) Hodgden of Mankato, Timothy Hodgden of Perham; his daughters, Tiffany (Dustin) Dougherty of Verndale, Kayla Hodgden of St. Cloud, and Kira and Teagan Holz of Perham; ten grandchildren—Kaitlyn, Kaden, Rhett, Zane, Brynlee Hodgden, Emma, and Keegan Hodgden; Darwin, Arthur, and Vincent Dougherty, with one more grandchild on the way; his brothers, Kenneth Jr. of Menahga and Tom Hodgden of Park Rapids, and his sister, Karenlynn Hodgden of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Sr., and his brothers, James  & Lyle Hodgden.

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