Walter Harmon Worley

Walter H. Worley went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of March 2, 2011 at Autumn Years in Oak View, CA. Walt was born on July 15, 1921, in Fort Monroe, VA, to Sergeant Walter Worley and Pearl Elizabeth Harmon, and spent most of his younger years in Knoxville, TN. He joined the Seabees in 1942 and served in the South Pacific. Walt married the love of his life, Cleo Pratt, in Burlington, TN April 2, 1944, and shortly afterwards they moved to Ventura, CA. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Seabees Walt joined UA Plumbers, Pipefitters Welders & Apprentices Local Union #484 in Ventura and worked as a plumber in Ventura County until he was fifty-five years old. Never content to sit still for long, Walt did not slow down in his retirement years. He started Worley’s Hauling and was often seen around town with his pick up and trailer, working until he was eighty-five years old.

Walt and Cleo raised two sons, Dick and Bill, and Walt enjoyed coaching their Little League teams and supporting them at their athletic activities. Walt was a softball pitcher with a church league and he had a wicked pitch that was later outlawed. He was an avid fisherman up into his eighties and often went fishing as much as seven times a week. They had a camping trailer and loved to camp at Lake Casitas and entertain friends who would come up for a fish fry. Everyone who met Walt knew that he loved to eat and one of his favorite pastimes was going out to local restaurants with his wife and many friends. One of the highlights of his life was a trip they took with church friends to Israel, Egypt and other countries. Walter loved the Lord and was an active member of several local churches over the years serving as a deacon and in other positions of leadership. Friends and family remember Walt’s great sense of humor, his endless stories and his generous heart to anyone in need.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Carl A. and Evelyn Gettlefinger Worley.

Walter is survived by his loving wife of sixty-six years, Cleo Pratt Worley; son and daughter-in-law Richard and Brenda (Viles) Worley of Huntington Beach, CA; son and daughter-in-law William and wife Mari (Graser) Worley of Corbin, KY; grandchildren Theresa (husband Mike) Moore, Phillip Worley, W. Scott (wife Erica) Worley, James (wife Crystal) Worley, Rachel Worley, David Worley and Leah Worley; great-grandchildren Montana, Cooper and Jaden Moore and Nicole, Kyle and Elizabeth Worley.

He is also survived by many friends and extended family who mourn his passing.

The family would like to thank Deidre Daly and the staff at Autumn Years for the excellent care, affection and compassion given to Walter while he was in their care.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 pm on Sunday, March 6th at Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura. A Celebration of Walt’s Life will be held at 10 am on Monday, March 7th at Grace Church, 65 S. MacMillan Ave., Ventura with Rev. W. Scott Worley and Pastor Tracy Cook officiating. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.

Arrangements under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.