Ernest Willie Worthey

Ernest Willie Worthey, 90, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and World War II veteran, died Sunday, April 11, 2010, at a local healthcare center.
Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Roselawn Memorial Park, 3801 Roselawn Drive, Denton. Visitation: Relatives and friends are welcome for visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Denton Funeral Home, 120 S Carroll Blvd., Denton.
Ernest was born March 15, 1920, in a farm house located south of Denton, to the late Mary and John Worthey. As a boy, he attended school in a three-room school house at Pilot Knob and later graduated from Denton High School in 1938. Ernest volunteered and served in the Army Air Force during World War II and was stationed on the Island of Guam. He attained the rank of technical sergeant and was in charge of the platoon that provided maintenance on B-29 planes, including the Enola Gay. On Oct. 28, 1943, he was united in marriage to Martha Elizabeth Pritchard in Macon, Ga., while serving in the military.
After being discharged from the service, Nov. 22, 1945, Ernest purchased a farm located northeast of Denton near the Mustang Community. In the year 1951 he began a career at Bell Helicopter and still managed to work his farm. Ernest was blessed with four children and remained in the Pilot Point area until 1980.
Later, Ernest married Karlene McClary, his teenage sweetheart, on Oct. 21, 1982. They both resided in North Richland Hills for many years. After 33 years of service he retired from Bell Helicopter in 1984. After retiring, Ernest became an avid bowler and serve on several league boards in the North Richland Hills area. Ernest was a member of the North Richland Hills Baptist Church.
The family would like to thank all of the staff of the Vintage Health Care Center and the American Hospice.
In addition to his parents, Ernest was preceded in death by the mother of his children and first wife, Martha; his wife, Karlene; his brothers, Houston, Doc and John; and his sister, Edith Foreman.
Survivors: Ernest is survived by his children, Ernestine "Ernie" Riley of Denton, Noel Worthey and his wife, Ruth, of Bluff Dale, Ernest Worthey Jr. and his wife, Verna, of Celina and Linda Dillon and her husband, Dennis, of Sanger; grandchildren, Buddy Worthey, Richard Worthey, Chris Riley, Clint Worthey, Jennifer Wilson, Bryan Dillon, Spencer Worthey and Ryan Worthey; and nine great-grandchildren.