Billy C. Clare, born November 23, 1917, in Kenton County, KY/Greater Cincinnati Area. Born to Mae Elizabeth Rohmiller and William Clare, Jr.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 17th, 2014, at the Alliance Community Chapel at 11am, followed interment at DeLand Memorial Gardens.
He had an older sister, Lucille. He left school in 8th grade to help his widowed mother during the Great Depression. He met Lorene Elizabeth Huber on her 18th birthday, November 12th, 1938. For Dad, it was "love at first sight," but he said it took Mom a little longer to be convinced.
After the tragedy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, they knew Dad would enlist in the Army Air Corps. They had planned to marry during his first furlough home, but all furloughs were canceled. My mother and Aunt Lucille, Dad's sister, took at train to see Dad before he was shipped off to war in Europe. On July 11th, 1942, they were married. It was almost 4 years before they were reunited again. He spent much of his duty time in the Mediterranean Sea area, Tunisia, North Africa, and Sicily, Italy. He worked on radios in the fighter planes, with the American Beagle Squadron, 2nd Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group of WWII.
When Dad was honorably discharged from service at Camp Atterbury, Edinburgh, Indiana, he returned home to Cincinnati, where he was reunited with his beloved Lorene.
Dad worked in management positions, mostly in the garment industry. He was always talented at anything mechanical, and was a big asset to companies like Jung Products, Inc., who made arm braces, Ace bandages, etc. He worked his way up from Plant Manager to Vice President of Purchasing toward the end of his career with Jung Products.
His daughter, Linda Elizabeth, came into the family in 1953.
Church was very important to the family, but Billy truly made his personal acceptance of Jesus Christ in the fall of 1967 during the fall revival at Carthage United Methodist Church.
As with most of the things Billy cared about, he fully devoted his time and talent to his Lord Jesus Christ. He was not one to speak in front of a crowd, but if you needed an usher, or the church to be serviced, he was glad to help.
The Clares moved to DeLand, Florida, in August 1975. They joined the New York Avenue CMA Church shortly thereafter. Billy served in several capacities, including head usher, elder, etc.
A few years ago, the Clares began attending the Alliance Chapel, which was closer to their home in the Alliance Community. After nearly 71 years of marriage, Lorene went home to heaven.
Dad was ready to join her and meet his Lord and Savior. Family, friends, and his faith in Christ were things that meant much to Billy C. Clare.
Daughter: Linda (Husband, Randall) Spacht in Whiteland, IN.
Grandchildren: Jeremiah (Rebecca) Spacht, Sara Spacht, Tabitha and Steven Goodykoontz, and Michael Spacht
He had eight great-grandchildren.
Nephews: Dr. Jerry (Mary) L. Watkins, Jim Paragin, and George Workman
Sisters-in-law: Georgiana Workman and Jacquline Paragin
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com.