Obituary of Watson L. Walden

NORTH HORNELL: Watson Walden, 99, of Cleveland Ave. peacefully passed away Monday, December 9, 2024 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY after being stricken at home. He was born in Binghamton NY, the son of Watson and Eva (Richmond) Walden. At age 4, his father lost his life in an auto accident. Several years later his mother married Craig Smith of Rexville, with Watson and sister blending with the extended Smith family. He graduated from Greenwood Central School in 1942 as class president. Watson worked 16 years as a clerk with the Erie Railroad Accounting Office, serving also as president of the Office Union Assn. In the following 33 years he was the business manager for the Karl Medical Group of Hornell, being chairman of the Credit Control Committee of the Natl. Assn. of Medical Group Managers, also Secretary and Treasurer of the Steuben County Medical Society. Community service was as president of the YMCA Triangle Club and Hornell Kiwanis, and director on the boards of the Hornell Arts Council and Camp Fire Organization. He was a trustee of Park United Methodist Church of Hornell, then becoming a building committee member for the 1972 construction of the (now former) United Methodist Church of Hornell, at Webb’s Crossing. An active Republican, Watson served many years as chairman of the Hornell Republican Club and was a Committeeman and Chairman of the Republican City Committee. Enjoying a rugged, honest campaign and never losing an election, he was a Steuben County Legislator for 16 years. In 1993 Watson and Alayne (Allen) Ogden were married on the beach at Prout’s Neck, ME by the father-in-law of one of his daughters. Residing 16 years in Falmouth and Freeport ME near families, they visited the Hawai’ian Islands among travels and were delegates to the State of Maine Republican Convention. 2009 saw them returning to Hornell to be nearer their youngest grandchildren. Watson’s retirement hobby was small carpentry and it delighted him that family and friends have items in their homes (sometimes every room) from Maine to Florida to California. He continued woodworking into his last year. Good health was a blessing to his long life until a double-injury fall 18 months ago. He made a stunning recovery by enthusiastic PT with our local professionals. The deep love and respect of his extended family and friends buoyed his spirits. He marveled in learning of the activities of the family’s young students. He was a real gentleman with a greeting for friends or strangers and thrived in sociability. Surviving family include his wife Alayne of North Hornell, daughters Paula (David) Thompson of Yarmouth ME and Patricia (Michael) Harrison of East Boothbay ME; Sons Stephen (Barbara) Walden of Churchill VA and Watson (Michelle)Walden of Farmington NY; step-sons Scott Ogden of Hornell and Joshua B Ogden of Portland OR; 13 combined grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; nephew Rev. Gregory Albert and step-sister-in-law Barbara Smith of Clearwater FL. He was predeceased by father Watson Walden, mother Eva Walden Smith, step-father Craig Smith and sister Dorothy Walden Albert; step-sisters Myrtle Smith Kilburn and Edith Smith Wallace, step-brothers Charles (Bud) Smith and Stanley Smith; one sister-in-law, three brothers-in-law and his wife’s daughter, Angela Ogden. While there will be no services at this time, a memorial service will be announced at a later date. If considering a memoriam, your local fire and rescue departments are a suggestion. Arrangements are in care of the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo.