John Wilford "Willie" Carden, Sr., 81, died December 20, 2013, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born December 25, 1931, in Holly, Colorado, the son of John Henry and Delia Carden. Wilford graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1950. He was a Navy Reservist serving with the Seabees for 10 years. Wilford was the owner of Carden's Radio & TV Repair, which then became Carden's Electronics, and then Radioshack. In his later years he started a furniture repair shop, Furniture Doc. He was an active member of New Life Church of the Nazarene, was a member of the Hutchinson Civitan Club since 1967, and an ambassador for Interfaith Housing. He was also a member of the Kansas and National Electronic Associations.

On July 24, 1955, he married Velma J. Thiessen at the Inman Mennonite Church. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, John Carden, Jr.; a daughter, Susan Carden, both of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Matthew Carden and wife Nikki of Wichita, and Janee Carden of Hutchinson; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Mabel Evans, Pansy Mitchell, Ivan Carden and Maurine Wilkerson-Summey.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2013, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastors Gary Worthington and Paul Danner presiding. Burial will follow in North Inman Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until service Thursday. Memorials may be made to New Life Church of the Nazarene, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson KS 67501.