William Roy Worthen, Esq.

WILLIAM (BILL) ROY WORTHEN, ESQUIRE, KNIGHT

Bill passed away on February 7, 2012, at Capital Caring HOSPICE, in Arlington, Virginia, after a long, courageous battle against numerous complications from a brain tumor.

Bill was born on July 1, 1950, in Exeter, New Hampshire. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire, Magna Cum Laude, in l972.  While at UNH, Bill lived in International House because he enjoyed meeting new people and learning about different cultures.  He was a member of PHI BETA KAPPA, PHI KAPPA PHI, and served as President of PI GAMMA MU.  Bill was active in College Republicans and was Chairman of the Keep UNH Open Committee, a successful effort to keep the University open for classes during the nationwide campus strikes of 1970.

Bill served in the U.S. Army.

Bill graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1976.  He served as Parliamentarian for the Student Bar Association and was a member of the law Fraternity, DELTA THETA PHI.

Bill worked as a Defense Attorney in the District of Columbia; for President Gerald Ford’s General Election Campaign in Southern Virginia; for Administrative Law Judges in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; the Capital Legal Foundation; the National Right to Work Committee; the National Tax Limitation Committee, and the Republican National Committee.  In 2003, Bill retired for health reasons from his position as an Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Bill was a member of The Federalist Society, the Biblical Archaeological Society of NOVA, the Conservative Network, Third Generation and the Conservative Club of both Alexandria and D.C.  He served as General Counsel of the American Jewish Forum.  He worked on the Reagan Transition Team and was a member of the Reagan Alumni Association.  He worked in Church Outreach Ministry and as a Small Group Leader in the church.  In 1996, Bill was knighted by the Knights Templar for his willingness to stand against injustice and bigotry in its many forms.  Bill wrote articles for numerous publications.

Bill loved to play RISK and to have discussions on Politics, History, and many other subjects.  His favorite saying was WHAT EVIDENCE WOULD CHANGE YOUR MIND?

Bill is survived by his wife of over 41 years, Penny Marie (Burns), and daughter Tammy Jordan Moore (Mrs. Nathaniel) both of Springfield.  He is the son of the late Roy and Edith Worthen of New Hampshire.  He is survived by brothers and sisters, Pamela and Anthony Smith, Bernard and Lynne Burns and Joseph and Faith Burns of Massachusetts, Kara Burns and Dr. Ellen Lowery of Kansas, Dr. Douglas Worthen of Illinois; Stepmother Roseann Worthen of New Hampshire; Mother-in-law Marilyn Burns of Massachusetts; 17 nieces and nephews; many devoted friends; and his beloved Scotties, Merri and Pippin.

Donations can be made in Bill’s name to the following:  Americans for Tax Reform, 722 12th St., NW, Washington, DC 20005; Cedar Run Community Church, 13560 McLearan Road, Oak Hill, VA 20171; and SCOTTIE RESCUE, 2110 Ednor Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905.