Clarence Mathis DeSpain

Clarence Mathis DeSpain was born to Fred Mathis and Bonnie Bee (Gay) DeSpain in Walters, Oklahoma on June 23, 1928 and departed this life in Walters, OK on December 9, 2010 at the age of 82 years, 5 months and 16 days. Clarence grew up in Walters before he left home to go to Houston where he was trained as a welder in the shipyards at the age of 15. He chased his wife June Evelyn Cox to Roswell, New Mexico and convinced her to marry him. They were married on September 18, 1948 in Walters, OK and were married for 58 years until her death in 2007. In October 1945 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served honorably during the Korean Conflict. After he was discharged they moved back to Walters, where he worked for Cotton Electric Coop until they moved to Roswell, NM to be a welder. Upon returning to Walters he worked at Halliburton as a welder until he started working for Chicago Bridge and Iron traveling around the country. They settled in Graham, TX, where he worked as a welder in the oil industry. They moved back to Walters in 1990 when they retired. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Walters. He enjoyed to playing poker, pool, fishing and hunting on his computer. He was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger days. He was preceded in death by his wife, June DeSpain; brother, Howard Gayle DeSpain; sister, Betty Jo Payne; and a nephew, Fred Payne. Survivors include two daughters, Juda M. Berry and LuDean DeSpain, both of the home; two grandsons, Waylin and Dean Berry, both of Texas; 3 nieces, Phyllis Calhoun of Marshall, IL, Sharon DeSpain of Friendsville, TX and Anneliese Payne of Paris, IL; two nephews, Scott Ray Payne of Marshall, IL and Larry Taylor of Temple, OK; 4 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; a great niece and a great nephew and many other relatives and friends.