The Smithfield Town Council and Mayor John Lampe remembered former town leader Norwood Worley at their monthly meeting on May 5th.
Worley died February 4, 2015 at the age of 87.
Worley served as Mayor of the Town of Smithfield for three terms starting in 1989. Previously he served on the Town Council from 1970-1995 and was Mayor Pro Tem from 1983-87.
Worley was very active in the community. He was the first Treasurer of the Smithfield Jaycees and a member of the Kiwanis Club for 35 years, serving as Director. He was the former Director and Merchants Committee Chairman of the Smithfield Chamber of Commerce, Past Commander and Vice-Commander of the American Legion Pou-Parrish Post 132, and recepient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 1995.
Worley also served on the Board of Directors of the NC League of Muncipalities in 1995, Board of Directors of the Ava Gardner Museum from 1989-1996. He was a World War II Veteran, serving in the US Navy as a Sonarman on the USS Lloyd Thomas.
Mr. Worley graduated from Princeton High School before attending Campbell University, Atlantic Christian College, and East Carolina University.
He taught in Johnston County Schools from 1954-1957 before running Worley Brothers from 1957-1995. Mayor Lampe remembered Mr. Worley and the first time they met.
While considering a run for city council, Lampe said he met Worley at his appliance store one day. “I liked him immediately because he was funny and honest and obviously enjoyed his life and being Mayor. I remember walking down the sidewalk to his store and he was sweeping the sidewalk.” He said Worley ran meetings in a very formal way and they were fun.
Lampe said Worley once told him “that changing the government was not like cooking pancakes where you flipped the whole thing over at one time.”
Lampe said Worley made good decisions and was considerate of the citizens of Smithfield.
The Proclamation given to Worley’s wife, Jean Creech Worley of Smithfield, sons Earl Worley of Warren, Ohio, and Paul Worley of Smithfield, extended deep appreciation for his dedication and extended to his family condolences over his passing.
