Clay Randolph Worrell

Clay Randolph Worrell was born on September 18, 1963, to Thomas Randolph Worrell and Emma Jean (Una) Hohrine in Malvern, Arkansas. He is the first of 3 rough and rowdy boys: Clay Randolph, Cliff Franklin and Brian Heath. By the time Clay was 11, his family had moved from Malvern, Arkansas; to Red Oak, Oklahoma; to Chicago, Illinois; to several cities in California including Cypress and Santa Maria – where his 2 brothers were born, to Moose Pass, Alaska; then back to Arkansas – Donaldson to Malvern to Hickory Grove and finally settling down in Bismarck – His father’s hometown. During his school years, Clay enjoyed football and fighting. Before his high school graduation, Clay joined the US Navy on a delayed entry. Clay graduated from Bismarck High School in 1981. Clay served in the US Navy for 6 years. His responsibilities included operating electronic countermeasure equipment and multiple types of radar as part of an anti-submarine warfare team who flew all over the world tracking enemy submarines aboard the P3 Orion. His military training locations included: the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California; the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida; The Navel Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, Tennessee; the Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California; and the Naval Air Station Moffett Field in Santa Clara, California. He was stationed at the Naval Air Station Barbers Point on the island of Oahu in Hawaii and deployed to the US Naval Air Station Cubi Point at the Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines. In the military, Clay was able to work and visit locations all over the world: the Philippines {which was his favorite}, Guam, Midway Island, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand just to name a few. During this time, Clay married his first wife, Cindy. They were married for about 4 years. After Clay’s service in the Navy, he stayed in Hawaii where he partied and played. It was here that he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident that would change the course of his life. “Big” trucks became his new life. Driving allowed him to continue his travels, albeit only in North America, but also allowed him to limit his physical demands. For almost 30 years, Clay drove all over the United States and Canada. In 1991, he married his second wife, Terece Hirschi. Clay and Terece drove over-the-road together for over 25 years. They transported equipment for the NASA shuttle program; ammo, explosives, and equipment for Department of Defense; radioactive materials for the Department of Energy; stamps for the US Postal Service; and equipment for Air Force One. They transported ALL kinds of hazardous materials. They transported frac sand and drill pipe throughout the western states for the gas and oil industry. And sometimes - they hauled ordinary things like food items, or building materials, road base and gravel, or heavy equipment, and even a load of large boulders from Texas to Utah. Why?? Utah has the prettiest rocks. Throughout the years they drove company trucks, their own trucks, owned their own trucking companies – Clay Worrell Trucking and later C bar T Trucking, and even did a bit of “hotshot” trucking. For a short period of time, they operated Worrell Dozer Service for Clay’s father. They lived in parts of Utah, Arkansas, Texas, and Wyoming. They had the most wonderful time seeing ALL of this beautiful country – from every interstate, highway, and byway… and even from a few “goat trails” while working in the oil field. They also met the most wonderful people, many who remained Clay’s friends to the end. While living in Texas, Clay had the opportunity to hear the missionary discussions. One of the elders was from Northern Utah. Clay was not quite ready to join the church, but Clay promised that elder if he ever did join the church, he wanted him to perform the baptism. In 2011, while living in St. George, Utah for a short time, 3 Super Sister Missionaries wrangled him into listening to the discussions again, and this time he was ready. Clay was able to contact the elder who had originally taught him, and the elder traveled to St. George and baptized Clay. While driving out of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Clay sustained another injury that would change his life again. He was no longer able to drive a truck. So - Clay and Terece moved to Toquerville, Utah. Terece found the perfect job at the school district, and Clay spent his time turning their tiny studio house into the cutest little HOME. Then he took on the “stink” trees and goat heads and turned their yard into a beautiful garden area with a fruit orchard, a berry patch, and colorful walkways and driveways. In 2018, Clay and Terece were sealed for time and all eternity in the St. George temple. In October of last year, Clay was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. Instead of falling into sadness and despair, he spent his time finishing as many projects around the house and yard as his health would allow, ever concerned that Terece would be able to take care of things on her own. A month or so ago, Clay was asked what he felt was the most important thing he needed to get done before he left this earth. He said his family temple work. So with the help of his wonderful ward members, he was able to complete 3 generations of temple work for both sides of his family. An unforeseen blessing that came from his illness was the incredible number of family members and friends who contacted him – from his childhood, his military service, his trucking days, and places he had lived before, who were able to reach out to him, to share some fond memories, and to say good-bye. He was always so surprised by those who reached out to him, and yet so very, very grateful for the contact. Clay was an amazing man. From the outside, he looked like a big ol’ grizzly bear, but on the inside, he was a kind and generous man. He was a true friend and always willing to help a friend or stranger. He was an amazing storyteller – and boy did he have stories to tell… from growing up in a family of all boys - who were always getting into some kind of trouble {so his mother said}, to his Navy years - with some stories he probably should never have told, to a million and one trucker stories… he had someone, something or somewhere in common with everyone he met. Clay loved animals. He had such a calm demeanor around animals. He would bend down, reach out his hand, speak in a soft voice, and most animals would come to him. His very best buddy was his cat, Harley. She adopted Clay when he lived in Wyoming. Wherever Clay was, she was – inside or outside, she was Clay’s constant companion. When Clay got sick and was not able to eat and drink, she stopped eating and drinking too. She rarely left his side until the end. Harley passed away just days before Clay. Clay Randolph Worrell passed away the morning of August 6, 2022. He was 58 years old. Clay is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Randolph Worrell and his mother, Emma Jean (Una) Hohrine. He is survived by his wife, Terece Hirschi, and his 2 brothers, Cliff Franklin Worrell & Brian Heath Worrell. A special thanks to the wonderful staff at the Intermountain Cancer Center and the Intermountain Hospice staff who took such great care of Clay during his illness, and Serenity Funeral Home for their kind and professional service of taking care of Clay’s mortal remains. And a very special thanks to all the family members, friends, neighbors, and especially the Toquerville ward members who supported and prayed for Clay each day. A funeral service will be held for Clay on Saturday, August 13th at 10:00 am at the Toquerville chapel. Services will be available live stream via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88043569902?pwd=akZPaFNRaTFPNks2WDBvZTluYnFQZz09 Meeting ID: 880 4356 9902 Passcode: 195297 Refreshments will be served immediately following the service. A private family interment will be held at the Toquerville City cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society.

Clay Randolph Worrell

September 18, 1963 - August 6, 2022