Obituary of William George Godden

Bill Godden, age 88 of Bellingham, WA went to be with the Lord on April 6, 2012. One of six children, Bill was born July 27, 1923 to Lillian and John Godden in Bangor, N. Ireland. After graduating from Queen's University Belfast in 1943, Bill worked within a team of six engineers designing military bridging for the advancement of the Allied armies during WWII in Europe and North Africa. Bill received his PhD from Queen's University in 1951, where he also served on faculty. He met his wife in 1954 while on a one year sabbatical leave to the University of Illinois at Urbana. Bill married Anna Elizabeth Finley on August 26, 1957 in Guildford, England. They lived in Bangor until they moved to Berkeley, CA in 1964, and then to Bellingham, WA in 2009. Bill taught Civil Engineering and served a term as Associate Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley from 1964 until he retired in 1991 as Professor Emeritus. Bill was a loving husband, father and grandfather who lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed family meals and gatherings, music, art, traveling, and bird watching. He was an accomplished pianist, photographer, and artist. Bill and Anna made a tradition of welcoming many university students and visiting scholars into their home for a meal. Bill's commitment to the work of the church and its young people began with Scripture Union UK and continued throughout his life locally, nationally and globally. He served as a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley for 45 years, as well as serving on the Board of Trustees at San Francisco Theological Seminary. He believed that one of the greatest gifts of life is the blessing of strong ties with family and friends. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Anna Godden, son John (Catherine) Godden, daughter Kay (David) Hageman, grandchildren Thomas Godden, Emma Hageman, Sarah Hageman, Matt (Julie) Hageman, Josh (Erica) Hageman and their daughter Hailey. He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister. He treasured his family members, including his many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A Funeral service will be held in Silex, Missouri under the direction of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home of Elsberry, Missouri. A Memorial service will be held in Berkeley, CA. Memorials may be made to the American Bible Society at www.americanbible.org or World Vision at www.worldvision.org.