Joe D. Worley

BURLESON -- Joe D. Worley, 76, of Burleson, a retired Methodist minister, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, in Fort Worth. Funeral: 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Burleson. Interment: 10 a.m. Monday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie Lane A. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home. Joe Douglas Worley was born Nov. 13, 1931, into the family of Lewis A. and Pearl F. Farmer Worley in Whitney. He graduated from Meridian High School 1951. That year he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and saw duty in the Korean War. He was discharged as a staff sergeant in 1956 and enrolled in Texas Wesleyan College, receiving a B.S. degree in 1959. That year he enrolled in Perkins School of Theology. In 1962 he received a master of divinity degree and was ordained a United Methodist minister. He remained in this active role until his retirement in 1993. Joe was also active in the Burleson Lions Club, where he served as chaplain. From 1966 until 1983, he served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. He served as a chaplain in Thailand, Vietnam and Germany. He retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1983. Joe married the former Thelda Sue Chumley in 1954. To their union were born three children, Raymond Douglas, Janis Annette and Ronald Glynn. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years; his parents; one brother; and two sisters. Survivors: Sons, Raymond D. Worley and family of Waynesville, Mo., and Ronald G. Worley of Burleson; daughter, Janis A. Argo and family of Burleson; brothers, Edwin and James Worley, both of Cleburne; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.