Bob C. Worley
Bob C. Worley of Fort Smith, Ark., passed from this life Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.
He was born Aug. 24, 1924, in Poteau to Marvin Elmer and Zelma Doshier Worley.
He married the love of his life, Mary, on March 7, 1943. They went on to have a 77-year-long marriage that was full of love, tenderness, respect and care.
Worley was a veteran of World War II, serving for two years as a staff sergeant. He was a Rotarian, 32nd degree Mason, member of the Fort Smith Rose and Historical societies and active in the affairs of the First United Methodist Church and its Aldersgate Class.
In 2009, he was instrumental in forming the Hardwood Tree Museum, a non-profit, public benefit corporation and served as chairman of the board for several years.
His entire career was in the field of transportation and logistics, specializing in both economics and law. He served a total of 38 years as commissioner of the Fort Smith Freight Bureau and president of Arkansas Industrial Traffic Association.
After passing the bar exam, he became licensed to practice law before the Interstate Commerce Commission and Federal Maritime Commission. He served as an advisory board member of the Oren Harris Chair of Logistics at the University of Arkansas for more than 20 years. He also served as a member of the executive committee and vice-president for the National Industrial Traffic League, as general manager of the Southwest Shippers Advisory Board, as president of the Southwestern Industrial Transportation League and was an initial member of the Fort Smith Port Authority where he was actively involved in developing the first port there.
He was a caring and compassionate man who was extremely involved in his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives. He never missed a birthday, school or sports event. He enjoyed arranging and delivering more than 200 bouquets of roses each year that he grew in his garden at his home on Park Avenue. Each year, he would deliver bouquets of his roses to people in nursing homes, retirement homes and hospitals. He always brought bouquets to his daughter and granddaughter at their places of work. He would make bouquets for friends’ anniversaries, birthdays and the ministers at his church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary, twin brother Rob Worley, brother Steve Worley, and sister Janice Soudbash.
Survivors include his three children, son Stan and wife Gina of Denver and two daughters Susan Worley of Santa Fe, N.M., and Debbie Collyge and husband Corky of Fort Smith, brother Jerry and wife Carolyn of Hillsboro, Texas, 10 grandchildren Ryan, Nicole, Brooke, Amber, Celina, Dustin, Gianna, Alex, Chanda and Bud and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith. A memorial service will take place at 9:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at Roebuck Chapel of First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith.
Pallbearers will be Dustin Collyge, Jerry Brasuell, Josh Bryant, Drew Brasuell, Ryan Worley and Billy Higgins. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Orme, Hays Copeland, Bob Gillson and James Reddick.
A private burial will follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery.
If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Hardwood Tree Museum, P.O. Box 5125, Fort Smith, AR 72913, or go to www.hardwoodtreemuseum.org.
The family would like to thank Butterfield/Morada Independent Living Center for providing such a warm, friendly and activity filled environment that made Bob’s life so full these last five years.
To view the online guestbook, please go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.