Herbert Harwood Worthley —————— § —————— January 10, 1927 - September 17, 2023 Herb Worthley of Anchorage, Alaska, died peacefully at JBER Hospital surrounded by family on Sept. 17, 2023. He was 96. He was born on Jan. 10, 1927, in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Mae and Warren Worthley. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Hoquiam, Wash. Herb received his American citizenship in 1961. He served in World War II in the Coast Guard and Merchant Marines onboard the SS Minnie M Fiske. On a beach in Okinawa, he retrieved a rare Japanese M1 carbine rifle containing the chrysanthemum emblem signifying it was manufactured for the Imperial Japanese Army and therefore, belonged to the emperor. Japanese soldiers would file the emblem off their rifle when susceptible to capture, as not to dishonor the emperor. Herb's rifle now resides at the Alaska Veterans Museum in Anchorage. In 1948, Herb ventured to Alaska to work on the Alaska Railroad. He married Arlene West on Aug. 9, 1950, in Hoquiam, Wash. In 1984, he retired from the Alaska Railroad fulfilling his childhood dream as a locomotive engineer. He was presented with an award for his work with the United Transportation Union in the 1970s from Senator Ted Stephens in Washington, D.C. After retiring, he owned Alaska Auto Preservation/WAXoyl in Anchorage. Herb was an avid square dancer, dancing three to four nights a week. He was always up for a new adventure traveling to exotic destinations such as Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica, and skydiving at 80. Those who knew him well know he was always "working on" the next invention and doing things "his way," which he did until his last breath. He will be dearly missed by many. Herb was a member of the American Legion and an honorary VFW member. Most important to him was being a member of the Christian Church of Anchorage; he was very loved and known for always bringing donuts for Sunday school. Herb is survived by siblings, Harold and Donald Worthley and Patricia Clark; daughter, Valerie Bale (Chuck); son, Donald Worthley (Kathleen); grandsons, Devin, Nolan and Riley, and Chas Bale (Meredyth): great-grandsons, Maddox As'sude and Oliver Bale; and friends, Debra West and Troy Julsen. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Arlene. The family extends a heartfelt thanks to JBER ICU, Dr. Simo and RN Vonya, for their loving and compassionate care extended to Herb and his family in his final hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Engine 557 Restoration, P.O. Box 875360, Wasilla. AK 99687-5360. A Graveside Service at Angelus Memorial Park Cemetery, 440 East Klatt Road in Anchorage, will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, followed by a 5 p.m. Celebration of Life at Christian Church of Anchorage, 10800 Lake Otis Parkway in Anchorage.