William J. Worthington, Jr., 87, of Cara Vita Village, Montgomery, Alabama, passed away Friday, August 13, 2004. Mr. Worthington was born November 14, 1916, in Jasper, Alabama to William J. and Carrie L. Worthington.
After graduating class valedictorian in 1935 from Sidney Lanier High School, Mr. Worthington graduated with honors in 1939 from the School of Chemistry and Metallurgy at the University of Alabama. Mr. Worthington started his career as a research Chemist with Lever Brothers in Boston, MA. Upon America's involvement in WWII, he served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer with the U.S. Army Air Corp in the Pacific. After the war, the military sponsored his graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with a Master's Degree in chemistry.
After graduation, he continued his military career with the U.S. Air Force until his retirement in 1963 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Worthington returned to Montgomery in 1964, working as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch until his retirement in 1981.
Most recently, he was active with Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Montgomery Kiwanis Club, where he was involved with numerous community projects.
Mr. Worthington is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Francis Worthington, and three children, John Charles Worthington and his wife, Elizabeth, of Montgomery; Carol Worthington Peek and her husband, Jack, of Solana Beach, California; and William J. Worthington, III of Dayton, Ohio. Three grandchildren also survived him; Jacob, Jordan, and Samuel Worthington.
Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, August 17, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery. A private family service will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Birmingham. Visitation will be Monday, August 16, 2004, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Leak Memory Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama, Leak Memory Chapel directing.
Published by AL.com (Birmingham) on Aug. 15, 2004.