Long time pioneer Claremore family and upholsterer
Biography
Born May 12, 1934 in Claremore, Oklahoma to his parents Earl and Edna Corley, Wilber was reared and educated in Claremore Public Schools. His grandparents originally moved to Claremore from Cassville, Missouri and set up a blacksmith shop as one of Claremore’s early pioneer families. Wilber graduated with the class of 1952, and in the same year married his high school sweetheart, Geraldine Rayburn. The couple made their home in Claremore, went to First Assembly of God Church and were happily married for 58 years.
Wilber’s first job began at the age of 14 when he went to work at Glover’s Shoe Shop as a cobbler on main street. He worked there for six years until he was twenty. At that point, he quit Glover’s and went to work at his father’s auto repair shop. While working at Corley’s Auto Repair, he opened a space where he began doing upholstery work.
Finding his niche in the upholstery business, Wilber ventured out to begin working at a furniture manufacturer in Tulsa called Keller Williamson. He later became a joint owner/partner in the business. He worked there several years before selling his share and retiring at the age of 50 in 1985. He then started Corley Upholstery which he has operated out of his shop at his home til this day.