Frederick Whilden Worrill, 91, First Sergeant, United States Army, Retired, of Crawfordville, Florida went to his final permanent change of station on December 31, 2020.

Frederick was born in Savannah, GA on November 8, 1929 to Amos Cornelius (A.C.) Worrill, Jr. and Thelma Wyndham Worrill.  During his formative years, he made his home in Savannah with his maternal grandparents, Barney E. Wyndham, Sr. and Eugenia Butler Wyndham.  He was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, and stepfather, Robert Colin Rahn.

He attended White Bluff Elementary School when it was a one-room building with three grades.  He also attended Charles Ellis and 37th Street Schools, Richard Arnold Junior High, Savannah High and Carlisle Military Academy in Bamberg, S.C. He was of the Baptist faith.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1948 and followed his dream of being a soldier.  He took basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. then shipped to Okinawa where he was assigned to the 44th Infantry, Philippine Scouts which was deactivated and reactivated as the 29th Infantry Regiment.  He was deployed to Korea in July 1950 after the outbreak of the Korean War.  He served as a Machine Gun Squad Leader until his unit was surrounded by an overwhelming Chinese force and he became a Prisoner of War on November 27, 1950.  He was returned to U.S. control in September, 1953 with a .50 caliber bullet in his lower back.  After being medically cleared for discharge, he took a short break in service to spend time with family and get married.  After re-enlistment, he served one tour in France, two tours in Germany, and several stateside posts including Fort Bragg, N.C., Fort Huachua, AZ, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma for two tours.  At Fort Sill he experienced the highlight of his military career as a Platform Instructor in the Pershing Missile Division of the Guided Missile Department, becoming a Senior Enlisted Instructor.

He retired June 1, 1969 from 3rd Battalion, 84th Artillery in West Germany.

He retired a second time in 1992 after 19 years in Law Enforcement with the Savannah Airport Police Department as a Captain.  His 19 years in Law Enforcement included five years as a Booking Guard with the Savannah Police Department.  After his second retirement, he enjoyed travelling with his children and grandchildren.

Military awards: Army Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Distinguished Unit Emblems (second award), Korea Service Ribbon with three Battle Stars, UN Service Ribbon, Army Occupation Medal (Japan), Prisoner of War Medal.  Descriptions of his unit in battle in Korea are detailed in the books The Forgotten War, America in Korea 1950-1953 by Clay Blair and Escape From North Korea by Paul G. Petredis.

Organizations: Crawford Lodge 294, F&AM, 29th Infantry Association, American Legion, VFW, Retired Enlisted Association, DAV.

He left behind his wife, sweetheart, and best friend of 66 years, Carolyn Bland Worrill of Crawfordville, FL.  His beloved wife joined him in Heaven eleven day later.  He leaves two sons, Frederick William Worrill (Connie) and Kenneth Whilden Worrill, two beloved grandsons, William Chase Worrill and Matthew Cody Worrill, all of Crawfordville, FL.  One sister, Coleen Rahn Biezenbos of Savannah, GA and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 20, 2021 at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the National Museum of the United States Army, P.O. Box 96281, Washington, D.C. 20090-6281.

AND

Carolyn Bland Worrill, 86, of Crawfordville, Florida passed away at the Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House in Tallahassee, FL on January 11, 2021.

Carolyn was born in Long County, GA on December 17, 1934 to William Alford Bland and Emma Merle Smiley Bland.  She grew up in Savannah, GA and always considered Savannah to be her hometown.  By eleven days, she was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Frederick Whilden Worrill on December 31, 2020; her parents; her brothers Gerald Bland (Faye) and Cameron Bland and niece Cathy Bland Green all of Savannah.

She graduated from Commercial High School in Savannah and attended the National College of Business in Lawton, OK where she was employed with the U.S. Army Aviation Command.  She lived the life of an Army wife, moving with her husband and children for a tour in France, two tours in Germany, and several stateside posts including Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Huachua, AZ, and Fort Sill, OK for two tours. While stationed in Germany, she and her family travelled to the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and numerous sites in Germany.  A Certified Professional Secretary, she retired from the Savannah Branch of MetLife after 26 years of service.  In 1998 she and her husband retired to Florida to be near their grandchildren.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed travelling with her family. She was of the Baptist faith and taught Sunday School at Sunset Baptist in Lawton, OK.

She leaves behind two sons, Frederick William Worrill (Connie) and Kenneth Whilden Worrill; two  beloved grandsons, William Chase Worrill and Matthew Cody Worrill, all of Crawfordville, FL.  One sister, Gloria Hough (Stan) of St. George, UT; three brothers, Wayne Bland of Acworth, GA, Edward Bland (Kaye) and Ernest Bland (Vickie); two sisters-in-law, Freddie Bland and Coleen Rahn Biezenbos, all of Savannah and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 20, 2021 at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or by mail to: 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.