Cleveland Ray Worley

Cleveland Ray Worley, 93, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2024 after a long illness. Cleveland was born on May 20, 1930 in Jumping Branch, West Virginia to the late Charley L. and Ethel (Griffith) Worley. In addition to his parents, Cleveland was preceded in death by sisters Eva Bower, Macil Waddell, Lola Mae Worley; brothers George Wilton Worley, and Charles Worley Jr.; and son-in-law Joseph Higinbotham.
Cleveland is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Betty; his children Kathryn (Gary) Gambill, Brenda Higinbotham, Charles Ray Worley all of Lordstown, Cheryl (Mark) Gamble of Hudson, and Carl Yeager Jr. of Florida; sister Francis Meador of West Virginia, Wilton Dean (Susie) Worley of Diamond. Also left to cherish his memories are 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Cleveland graduated in 1948 from Hinton High School, Hinton, West Virginia. After graduation, he worked in the steel mill for a short time. Most of his career was centred around trucking. He bought his own truck in 1951 and drove for various companies out of Detroit, Michigan. As an employee of Gate City Transport Company, he was awarded membership in the Michigan Mutual Liability Company's Safe Driver's League with an established record of 9 years accident free. In 1966, he began driving for Anchor Motor Freight out of Lordstown, Ohio hauling General Motor vehicles. While at Anchor Motor Freight, he served as Union Stewart of Local 377, trained many drivers to load cars and drive trucks and was awarded the prestigious "Million Mile Club – Accident Free" award. Through his trucking career, Cleveland travelled throughout the United States, but his favorite route was to New England.
Cleveland and Betty bought a winter home in Holiday, Florida and after he retired in 1992, they enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and summers in Ohio. They loved being snowbirds for 26 years.
Cleveland, also known as "Mr. Fix-It," could repair anything from a leaking pipe to rebuild a car engine. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. He enjoyed spending time with his loving family, watching NASCAR races, all the NE Ohio professional sports teams, working in his garage, gardening and sharing his harvest with family and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of Home Instead and Crossroads Palliative and Hospice Care Center for the loving and compassionate care they provided to Cleveland during his final months. Cleveland will be dearly missed by his loving wife, family and all that knew him.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 11, 2024, from 4-6pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N Canton Rd, Akron, Ohio 44305, and one hour prior to the service held on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 12:30pm. Burial will follow at Hillside Memorial Park in Akron, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Cleveland's memory may be made to the American Heart Association or Crossroads Palliative and Hospice Care, Akron, Ohio (www.crhcf.org/honoring-donation)
To leave a message for Cleveland's family, please visit www.NewcomerAkron.com