Worden E. Hodge, 71, of McConnelsville, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Morrison House. He was born May 22, 1944, in St. Louis, MO.

He was a graduate of M-M High School and then joined the U.S. Navy. In his 25 years of service, he served on six ships, the USS Jewett, USS Tucker, USS Hanson, USS England, USS Waddell, and USS Chicago. Worden served 10 years at sea, with 12 tours to Vietnam. He later was stationed at San Diego, CA, as a master Navy recruiter. On retiring from the Navy, he became a long haul truck driver. He was a member, and past master, of the Victorville Lodge No. 634 of Victorville, CA, where he became a Master Mason in 1992.

In 2005, Ward volunteered to go to Iraq to drive trucks on a Marine Base. He spent three years there. He later joined the Corinthian Lodge No. 111 of McConnelsville and the Valley Lodge No. 145 of Malta. He was also a member of the Pisgah Methodist Church. His greatest joy upon retiring was flying his remote control planes at the Jim Paquis Field in New Lexington. In 2014, he played a part in the play I Am, here in McConnelsville.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Peggy Lee Butterfield Hodge; a daughter, Tammy (John) Davis, of Philo; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Kathy Maude (John) Hopkins, of SD and Eddie (Calvin) Cummings, of Japan; and a nephew, Ryder Hodge.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ima Jean Pyle Hodge; and a brother, Albert Hodge.

In keeping with his wishes, a cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Miller-Huck Funeral Home in McConnelsville, with Pastor Lee Ann Dunlap officiating.

A masonic service will also be held Saturday, and Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post No. 24 Color Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Genesis Hospice and Palliative Care, 713 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.miller-huck.com.