Director Clarence Walton
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WALTON, Clarence E., 63, of Cameron, W.Va., died Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va.
He was born April 30, 1948 in Glen Dale, W.Va., the son of the late Homer and Marcella Morris Walton.
Clarence was a retired school bus driver with Marshall County Schools, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and a Christian by faith. He was a member of the American Legion, Cameron Post #18, for which he held many offices; Director of the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State; a former Dept. of West Virginia American Legion Vice-Commander; a certified Hunter Education Instructor; and a former 4-H leader.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl and Marvin Walton; a sister, Rose Verledene Crouse.
Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Marjorie Walton; two daughters, Carrie (James) Plourde of State College, Pa. and Chelsea Walton (Evan) Hewitt of Cameron; a sister, Helen Robinson of Moundsville; two grandsons, Conner and Owen Plourde; several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at a memorial gathering from 1 until time of Memorial Service at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 29, 2011 at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, Lutes & Kirby-Vance Chapel, 118 Grant Avenue, Moundsville, with Rev. Doug Richardson officiating.
The Cameron Honor Guard will conduct military services at the funeral home.
Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Highland Cemetery, Cameron.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mountaineer Boys State, American Legion Dept. of WV, Attention: Mountaineer Boys State, P.O. Box 3191, Charleston, WV 25332.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.altmeyer.com.
The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State is permitting comments for those who would like to share a story about Clarence. Â Please do so below.
Director Clarence Walton has been a very close friend and family member to many of us on the ALMBS staff. I have personally grown both as a person and a staff member with ALMBS because of Clarence. When I came back as a first year counselor in 2000, Clarence was my Senior Counselor in Monroe. I served under Clarence for 2 years before he was appointed Director of the program. Upon being appointed Director of the program, Clarence came and asked me if I would start back up the ALMBS website. I told him I would do anything that he wanted me to do. The ALMBS website had been neglected from 2000-2002. In 2003, I was moved to the headquarters staff.
In 2007 I was asked to attend the National American Legion Boys State Directors Conference. Clarence felt that I had something to share with other Boys State programs around the nation. Clarence has always helped to push me forward and to think outside the box. Clarence has also helped to bring many people to our ALMBS family. If it wasn’t for Clarence, I probably would have never met and became friends with many of the members of the American Legion and ALMBS Staff.
Throughout his time as director, Clarence has worked to bring the ALMBS Staff and the American Legion closer together. He has energized many legionnaires to become more involved in the ALMBS program. We all owe him our gratitude and appreciation. I am thankful to Clarence for all he has helped me to learn about our Veterans and for getting me more involved in the Boys State program. There are very few programs that I would drop anything to help out and this is one of them.
Rest in peace good buddy, you will never be forgotten!
Jacob McCarty (IT Director)
ALMBS Citizen 1999
I am saddened to hear of the death of Clarence Walton. He was a good man who loved his family more than anything. He also loved his Boys State family, and we loved him. Clarence was a brave man who never seemed to complain about his sickness, although he was struggling with it daily. He was a man who could always make us smile and laugh. I will miss him this year at Boys State and in years to come. Prayers to his family and friends, including the staff of MBS. Love you, Clarence!
Clarence Walton was a remarkable man whose cherished memory will remain as long as those who were priviledged to have an opportunity to meet him continue their lives.
I am a better person through lessons learned by listening to and observing Clarence’s ways of encouraging young men to have faith in themselves and pursue their dreams.
May his soul rest in peace for a job well done in many aspects of activities with family, the military and youth of West Virginia while here on this earth.
Neil Bolyard
ALMBS Citizen 1949
I echo the sentiments that I have read about how Clarence has touched each of our lives. Clarence was the Senior Counselor in Braxton in 1994 when I was a citizen. He was a great leader and a fine human being. We will all miss him.
Brandon Flower
ALMBS Citizen 1994
Clarence was simply the best, so kind to me and my daughter Shannon. I was so blessed to have a working relationship with him and also a true friendship. I am so grateful my last phone call with him ended with me telling him how much I loved him and how much he meant to my daughter and I. So thankful for the almost 6 years I had to get to know him, but so heartbroken he is gone. I will miss your smile and kindess each and everyday. All our love Clarence, Trish and Shannon.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Clarence Walton. I came to know him through MBS in 2005. Under his guidance, I returned as a counselor several years later. I remember fondly him visiting with me at my home after I attended Boys Nation that summer. He cared deeply about all of West Virginia’s young people and played a significant role in their development as good citizens through the MBS program. Our society is a better place because of Clarence Walton.
Mr. Walton will be greatly missed.
The Boys’ State program has lost a great leader and friend. I am proud to have known Clarence for many years. May God be with you.
Clarence was the reason I was able to come and join the Boy State Staff Family and he embodied what it ment to be a man in gray
Entering my second year as a counselor for the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State, Mr. Clarence Walton helped made my experience as a counselor one that I will never forget.
Clarence was a man who gave his life to the American Legion and Boys State. He worked hard to make this program one that is extremely successful and highly honored and acknowledged all around.
With his upbeat ambitious attitude, Clarence helped unite the staff and made us all feel like we were family. It saddens myself to see Mr. Walton pass. However, his work and dedication to the program will never be forgotten. Keeping his friends and family in my prayers, I know that Clarence will continue to be with us as Boys State continues.
May God Bless!
You may be gone, but never forgotten,
-Luke Kopp
ALMBS Citizen 2009
ALMBS Counselor 2010, 2011
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my good friend Clarence Walton. I was priveledged to have been a Senior Counselor at Mountaineer Boys State when Clarence also served. I have not been able to serve at MBS over the past several years and wish to send my condolences to the Walton Family and the MBS family. May God be with you!! You will be missed.
Michael L. Park
MBS Citizen 1984
MBS Staff 1985- 1999