Grady Clayton Worley, 87, of Mars Hill, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025. He was born on December 10, 1937, to the late Clayton William Worley and Velma (Ponder) Worley in Wyandotte, Michigan.

Grady was a proud U.S. Army veteran. After graduating from Mars Hill High School in 1957, he served six years from 1957-1963. He was stationed in Ludwigsburg and Karlsruhe, Germany, where he worked with the Army's Transportation Corps (Truck Company 32 in Ludwigsburg and Truck Company 126 in Karlsruhe). It was during this time that he met and married (in 1959) a local German girl from Untergrombach, Edda Mangold. They learned each other's language over time, and Grady became fluent in the regional dialect. They moved to Fort Bragg, NC, where Grady finished his Army service.

Grady had a long career as a Field Engineer for IBM. He received numerous outstanding service awards over his 25-year career. He loved the mountains so much that he declined promotions that would have required relocating. After retiring from IBM, Grady worked at Zink Outdoor Power Equipment. Working at Zink's was the perfect retirement job for Grady, since it combined his love of engines and gift of gab. Grady never knew a stranger; he loved meeting new people and always found a connection to start a conversation.

Grady was a man of many talents, skills, and interests. He was quite musical, and played the tuba, guitar, banjo, harmonica, hand bells, and sang in the choir. He painted, whittled, fished, and rode motorcycles. He was a tinker who could fix anything and loved to pull apart car engines, VCRs, electronics, computers, and watches, and give them new life. Grady and Edda did much of their own home renovation over the years, turning an unfinished basement into a favorite den and sun room, tiling bathrooms, and building massive bookshelves to hold all of Edda's books. He was a licensed ham radio operator and enjoyed talking with other hams all around the world.

Grady was enormously devoted to the Mars Hill United Methodist Church. He was a charter member and served on various church committees. He was also dedicated to his local community, volunteering on the Mars Hill Housing Authority for more than 40 years, as well as serving one term as town Alderman.

Grady was beloved by his daughters, grandchildren, and sons-in-law. The life lessons he conveyed through his hardworking example and his supportive presence at nearly every major and minor event in their lives were unmatched. His love of family was clear in his passionate embrace of "Sports Fan Extraordinaire," first for his daughters, and later for the grandkids. Whether it was a basketball game, track meet, softball tournament, or soccer match, Grady was always there. He was a youth league softball coach and continued in that role unofficially for many kids throughout his life.

The joy and light of his life was Grady's grandkids—Noah, Annika, and Eli. Being involved in their lives was always important to him, and his eyes never shone brighter than when he was called Opa. And the love of his life for 66 years of marriage was his wife, Edda. He was never happier than when she was by his side.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bruce Worley; and sister, Linda Sue Worley.

He is survived by his loving wife, Edda Mangold Worley; daughters, Heidi Worley (Jeff Haggquist) of Washington, D.C. and Elke Payne (Tony) of Mars Hill, N.C.; and grandchildren, Noah Payne, Annika Haggquist, and Eli Payne, all of whom he was very proud. He is also survived by his sister, Claudia Reavis of Mars Hill; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Friday, September 19, 2025, in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral and Cremation Service.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Mars Hill United Methodist Church. Pastor Kelly Dotson will officiate.

Flowers are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts/donations may be made to: Mars Hill United Methodist Church, 201 South Main Street, Mars Hill, N.C., 28754. You can also donate online.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.