Clarence “Papa” Wilson, age 77, of Rapid River passed away Monday, December 25, 2006 at the Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette.
 
Clarence was born December 21, 1929 in Big Chimney, West Virginia. He spent his childhood years in West Virginia and later moved to California where he worked for many years for the State of California Highway Department. For over 30 years he made Michigan his home and worked as a farm hand on the DeBaker Dairy Farm. He loved gardening. He had the cleanest and best. He especially enjoyed fishing with his grandson. “Papa’s” greatest love in his life was his family. He did a great job raising a daughter and three grandchildren by himself. His motto was “Take care of your children.”  He was a “Papa” figure to many children. He will be sadly missed and will always live on in his offspring.
 
“Papa” is survived by:

His daughter: Carmella (Joe) Cole of Rapid River

3 Grandchildren: Kristi and Kayle Bovin and Clay Cole

Close and Dear Friends: Terry & Traci DeBaker and children, Makayla, Macenzi, Malaina, Maelynn, and Montana
 
Memorial Services for “Papa” will be Thursday, December 28 at 6:00 PM at the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone with Pastor Jonathan Schmidt officiating. “Papa’s” family will receive friends from 4:30 to 6:00 on Thursday at the church.
 
The Wilson family is being assisted by the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County.