Clyde Walters

Clyde Walters was a man dedicated to his family and his faith. He spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving husband, father and grandfather, and succeeding in providing the best for his family. Clyde could do just about anything, yet it was his incredibly kind heart that made him the man people were proud to know. His selfless deeds and actions were an inspiration to those that knew and loved him. Each generation has unique milestones and events that have helped shape future generations. The 1920s were without exception. In 1927, the advent of flight took a giant step when Charles Lindbergh made the first trans-Atlantic solo flight from New York to Paris, and the first "talkie" movies made their debut. On June 19, 1927, in Hart, Michigan, Clyde Henry Walters was born, an event that would shape the future generations of his family. Clyde was the fifth of seven children: Melvin, Merlin, Flossie, Maxine, Clyde, Bill and Ann. Along with his siblings, Clyde grew up in their family farm, where his father raised beef cattle and also farmed the food to feed them. His parents, Bower and Florence (Hughes) Walters, made sure the children learned responsibility by pitching in with the daily farm chores, which was quite substantial with a large farm. They lived in a modest home that had no indoor plumbing, and the fields were plowed by two Morgan horses and the sweat of Clyde's brow, since this was usually his job. To supplement their family's income, Clyde and his brothers would trap muskrats and other small animals to sell their pelts for fur. Like many young boys of the time, Clyde attended school through the eighth grade, then left to find work. A few years later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, luckily after World War II was already over. During his two year tour, he was stationed in Georgia, where he served as a cook. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Bill, also joined the Army and served as a cook, which he made his career. Upon his discharge, Clyde returned to Muskegon and began working a variety of jobs, including as a pinsetter at NK Bowling, and at the Norge Refrigerator Plant. Clyde's life took a new direction when he met Doris Carlson, who was ten years younger than him and from Walkerville. At first, Doris was only mildly interested in Clyde, but through much persistence, he won her whole heart and they were married on December 21, 1954. The newlyweds settled into their first home together on Auble Road, where they welcomed the birth of their two beautiful daughters, Barb in 1956, and Bonnie in 1958. After outgrowing this small home, they moved to a house on VanAppel in North Muskegon in 1968. Besides being a devoted husband and father, Clyde worked hard to support his family. Over the years he held several different jobs, including at Ginman Tire, he trained to be a nurses' aid and was a Chemical Operator at Ott Chemical Co. for a number of years. At Ott, Clyde was involved in several serious accidents, one in which he almost died from after being exposed to poisonous gas. In 1977, Clyde settled into a job at Eagle Ottawa Leather working in maintenance for the next 23 years. Because of a debilitating stroke in 2000, which left his right hand unable to work, he was forced to retire at the age of 72. Doris was a homemaker while their girls were growing up, but after they were in school, she went to work at Tech Mold. But the family was definitely not all work and no fun. They loved to travel, and took their pop-up camper out every summer on a new exciting trip around the country. Their adventures took them to Niagara Falls, Cooperstown, out west, basically all over. As their daughters got older, their boyfriends (eventual husbands) came on a few trips, and soon thereafter, their grandchildren were able to come along. Being cooped up in the car for long distances, and Doris and Clyde being backseat drivers, there were undoubtedly many great stories to go along with these trips. Although they loved each other very much, they argued a lot too, but "as long as they did things Doris' way, then things were OK." As a couple, they enjoyed being members of the Pairs & Squares square dance group for a while, and Clyde also liked bowling once a week, and was a huge Detroit Tiger fan. He loved being a grandfather, and being retired, he had plenty of time to spend with his seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren, whom he adored. Always giving, Clyde bought his grandchildren cars when they got older, and sent them as well as his own children to church camp. But his generous nature overflowed to more than just his family; he never thought twice about helping others in need, even when he knew it wouldn't be repaid. Clyde had a strong Christian commitment, which was a hallmark of his life. He was a longtime faithful member of the Giles Road Baptist Church since 1965. Over the years, he served in many capacities in his church, including as a Deacon Emeritus, a Sunday school teacher as well as served on the Board and helped sell bonds to finance the building. Clyde was an early riser so the family never missed church, even if the kids had been out late the night before. He was quite a pillar in the church, and he demonstrated this not only in his charitable deeds but in the way he led his life. Although Clyde had a happy life, it was also marked with great sorrow. He lost his daughter, Bonnie, in 2001, and his beloved wife, Doris, in 2003, after 49 years of marriage. Clyde continued to live on his own, although he didn't drive, but loved to shop at Meijers and stop for ice cream every chance he got. After showing signs of Alzheimer's, Clyde went to live at the Roosevelt Park Nursing Home, where he was well liked by the staff and residents. In his last hours, two residents came to sing hymns to him. All who knew and loved Clyde will treasure his memory. Clyde Henry Walters, age 79, died Sunday, April 8, 2007, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his daughter, Barb (Stan) Varboncoeur; son-in-law, Richard Wiggins, Jr.; 7 grandchildren: Jacob Varboncoeur, Noah (Catherine) Varboncoeur, Luke Varboncoeur, R.J. Wiggins III, Jared (Amanda) Wiggins, Kellie Wiggins and Cody Wiggins; 2 great-grandchildren: Zachary Wiggins and Ricky Wiggins IV; 2 sisters, Flossie Gebhart of Hart, MI, Ann Moschke of IA; 3 brothers, Melvin (Petra) Walters of Muskegon, Merlin Walters of CA and Bill (Pat) Walters of SC. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, daughter, Bonnie, and his sister, Maxine Arnouts. Funeral services for Clyde will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 11:00 a.m. at Giles Road Baptist Church with Rev. Darrell Storvik officiating. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery. Friends and relatives may visit with his family on Friday, April 13, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Clyde or sign his online guest book.