LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending legendary news anchor Bill Worden upon
the occasion of his retirement after 35 years of distinguished service
to WKTV

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, that the quality and
character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched by
the faithful and untiring efforts of those individuals who have helped
shape the history of broadcasting; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
legendary news anchor Bill Worden upon the occasion of his retirement
after 35 years of distinguished service to WKTV; and
WHEREAS, After more than 35 years as lead anchor at NewsChannel 2 and
nearly 50 years in broadcasting, Bill Worden announced that he will
retire from WKTV on Thursday, November 29, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Known as one of the longest-serving local news anchors in
American television history, Bill Worden joined WKTV of Utica, New York,
in March of 1977 as anchor of NewsChannel 2 at Six and Eleven; later in
his career, NewsChannel 2 at Ten was also added to his anchoring duties,
along with once serving as news director of the station; and
WHEREAS, Born in Herkimer, New York, Bill Worden grew up the son of a
successful local businessman, whose travels took him, his mother and his
sister to Indiana and Florida before returning to Utica where his father
became a car dealer; and
WHEREAS, A United States Air Force veteran, Bill Worden served with a
Top Secret clearance in the Atlas-F Missile program, during both the
Cuban Missile Crisis and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy;
upon discharge, he entered the radio business in Utica at stations WBVM
and WRUN; and
WHEREAS, While working, Bill Worden attended Utica College and Mohawk
Valley Community College, where he helped start the college's first
radio station; in 1971, he took his first television position at
KTVH-CBS in Wichita, Kansas, where he anchored the noon and evening
broadcasts; in addition, he anchored the 6:00 and 11:00 news in 1973 at
WTVN in Columbus, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, While in Wichita, Bill Worden earned several awards for two
bicentennial year documentaries in 1976, including one from the state's
farmers for a half-hour documentary on Kansas' two major industries,
meat and wheat; he was also cited for his work on an historic documenta-
ry, "The Gunfighters," including former Wichita Marshall Wyatt Earp,
Billy the Kid, Bat Masterson of Dodge City, Kansas, and the Dalton Gang;
and
WHEREAS, An accomplished drummer, Bill Worden played professionally
across the country for several years with jazz and jazz-rock groups,
including one national recording group; he has twice been a guest
soloist with the Utica Symphony; and
WHEREAS, Bill Worden has joined the Mark Bolos Band and will be trav-
eling with them; he is also working with a local businessman, pursuing
the growing interest in internet radio; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Janna and their four
children and 12 grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Bill Worden has, throughout his career and purposeful life,
served his community with integrity and devotion, continuously striving
to meet the needs of his listeners through entertainment and enlight-
enment; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend legendary news anchor Bill Worden upon the occasion of his
retirement after 35 years of distinguished service to WKTV; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bill Worden.