Leawood, Kan. — William Bernard “Bernie” Madden, owner of Madden-McFarland Interiors, passed away on Aug. 1. Madden was a founding member of the Kansas City chapter of the Certified Floorcovering Installer (CFI) and spoke on behalf of professional flooring installers everywhere he went.
In 2012 he was the first recipient of the Chris Davis Award for his belief in quality flooring installation. Madden took great joy in his work and considered each employee a part of his extended family. He took particular joy in mentoring the talents of others and encouraging their success. His sincerity and integrity in his business dealings endeared him to clients, employees and industry members, many of whom grew to become true friends.
Madden joined the home furnishings and floor covering industries in 1969, when he went to work for Gene E. McFarland Ltd. He mentored under the guidance of McFarland and developed a true passion for the industry. Using the knowledge of sales and service he gained through extensive training from the William Volker Company in Kansas City, Bernie possessed the tools he needed to launch a successful career serving the needs of some of Kansas City’s most discriminating clients.
In 1975, he purchased the business from McFarland, along with a new showroom location in the southern suburbs of Leawood.