Will Madden

Will Madden, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026, at the age of 36, surrounded by those who loved him most.

Some people leave behind memories. Will left behind traditions, the most contagious laughter, and a little more Christmas spirit wherever he went. The world became a little less bright with the passing of Will Madden, but his light will continue to shine in the countless lives he touched.

Will was born on September 14, 1989, in Lynchburg, Virginia, to Tim and Connie Madden. From a young age, he loved music, singing, drama, entertaining, and making people laugh. Even as a child, he had a gift for bringing people together and turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. He was a great storyteller, making even the most impossible tales seem truly possible. 

Throughout his life, Will was known for his unwavering love of Christmas. What started in November or December for most people started in September or October for him. As a kid, he was always the one putting up the Christmas lights on the house. Not because no one else would, but because they simply had to be perfect and he had to be the one to do it. That love only grew over the years, from working on a Christmas tree lot, to completely decorating his home with multiple trees, to decorating the beautiful Christmas trees throughout St. Ives Country Club, a place he lovingly considered his second family. For Will, Christmas wasn't just a holiday. It was a season of joy, generosity, and togetherness that he wanted everyone around him to experience.

Will found more than a career at St. Ives Country Club in Atlanta, GA. He found lifelong friendships, unwavering support, and a place that truly felt like home. The love and kindness shown to him by the St. Ives family meant more than words can express, and his family will forever be grateful for the friendships, compassion, and sense of belonging they gave him. It brought them great comfort knowing he spent so many years surrounded by people who loved him so well.

To know Will was to know laughter, compassion, humor, and unconditional love. His contagious belly laugh could fill a room, and once he started laughing, everyone else found themselves laughing too. There was rarely a moment when Will wasn't belting out a song as if no one else was there. Whether he knew every word or was making them up as he went, he sang with his whole heart. He truly danced and sang his way through life. He found his greatest happiness in bringing people together. Whether he was hosting a movie night, planning a dinner with friends, organizing a holiday celebration, or simply looking for an excuse to gather the people he loved, Will made everyone feel welcome. He had a gift for making people feel seen, valued, and at home, no matter where they were.

Above all else, Will loved his family. Nothing brought him more joy than being an uncle. Whether it was mailing surprise packages to his niece and nephews, making the trip to Ohio to spend time with them even through all of his kidney treatments, or finding the perfect gift that would make them smile, they held an incredibly special place in his heart. They adored their Uncle Will just as much as he adored them, and the memories they created together will forever be treasured.

Will is survived by his loving parents, Tim and Connie Wellens Madden of Cincinnati, Ohio; his best friend Morgan McCoy (Atlanta, GA), his sisters, Kim Baltz (Will Baltz) of Cincinnati, Ohio and Emily Smith (Brandon Smith) of Columbus, Ohio; his nephews, Jacob and Liam Baltz and Charlie Smith; his niece, Sophia Smith; along with countless aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends who were blessed to know and love him.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William (Bill - Will’s namesake) and Mary Stockton Madden of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Howard (Skip) and Arlene Vervoren Wellens of Green Bay, Wisconsin, along with the many beloved dogs who undoubtedly welcomed him home with wagging tails. His love for rescuing animals from the kill shelter, or the ones who no one else wanted, was unmatched and we know each of those dogs were waiting for him.  

While it is impossible to capture a lifetime in just a few paragraphs, Will leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, unforgettable laughter, remarkable strength, and endless generosity. Throughout years of medical challenges, he faced each obstacle with resilience, strength, humor, and a determination that inspired everyone around him. He made every room brighter simply by walking into it. Although he will be deeply missed every single day, his spirit will live on in the lives of the people he loved and in the traditions he created.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Will's life on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Gilligan Funeral home (8225 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236) Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a celebration of life following at 3:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to American Kidney Fund or any local animal shelter in Will's memory. If you would like to honor his life in another way, we hope you'll consider helping a family create a little extra Christmas magic this holiday season, registering as an organ donor, or simply gathering the people you love a little more often.

Will's story doesn't end here. It lives on in every Christmas tree we decorate, every song we sing at the top of our lungs, every gathering around the table, and every tradition we continue in his honor. Some people leave behind memories.

Will left behind a lifetime of laughter, love, and traditions that will never fade.