Werner's father Robert Gideon was born in Horb am Neckar. 

His great-grandfather Salomon Gideon had founded a soap factory in Mühlen in 1835. His grandfather David Gideon, who was a member of the Horb town council for 19 years, expanded the business. 

In the 1920s and early 1930s, the Gideons were one of the largest employers in Horb. Werner's uncle Wilhelm Gideon was the store manager.

Robert Gideon was an authorized signatory in the Gideon AG until 1926. He had served with his father and brothers in World War I for Germany.

He spoke little about Horb with his children and never about the war time.