Clinton C. Ayers Sr.

Clinton C. Ayers, Sr. In the early hours of Monday, May 14, 2012, the United States of America lost Clinton C. Ayers Sr., one of the few remaining heroes of the World War II D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. As a soldier of the First Army, Seventh Corps ,Battery A, 981st Field Artillery Battalion on the historic day of June 6, 1944, Tech Sergeant Ayers and thousands of other brave American troops waded the cold waters of the English Channel and landed on the banks of Normandy, France to begin a brave fight for the liberation of Europe from Nazi domination. Clinton was always so proud he had the privilege of being part of that momentous day in history. But, on May 14, 2012, with failing health, weariness of fighting the battle of life, and a desire to be with the Lord Jesus Christ and his deceased loved ones, this brave 91-year-old soldier took his final breath and entered into his eternal reward. His earthly battle ended just moments after his precious wife of over 65 years saw a white image enter their bedroom. The life journey of this remarkable man began on March 2, 1921 in Carroll County, Virginia, where he was born the fifth child of his parents, the late Mitchell and Viola Ayers. Clinton's father was orphaned at a very young age and never had the privilege of learning to read or write. With no formal education, Mitchell was destined to hard work in a steel mill and cutting timber. While working to cut down a large tree, both of Mitchell's feet were tragically crushed, an injury that left him handicapped with deformed feet. For the rest of his life, Mitchell was never able to wear any kind of shoes except tennis shoes with part of the shoes cut away. With no governmental assistance in those days and because Mitchell was a strong man, he continued to work as best he could for his family. Lured by the opportunity to find work in the coal rich neighboring state of West Virginia, Mitchell decided to move his young family to Raleigh County, West Virginia where they settled in Winding Gulf. It was during Clinton's early years that he gleaned from his father the most valuable traits a man could possess. He was taught hard work, honesty, generosity, respect for others regardless of color or race, a servant's heart, and especially, love and respect for the elderly. These are traits Clinton endeavored to possess for himself his entire life and also desired to teach his four sons. It would be impossible to find anyone who could ever say that Clinton Ayers ever cheated them or lied to them. "Clint," as most called him, taught his sons a reverence of God's judgment and the consequences for wrongdoing. Being careful to never take anything for granted, he would always say, "Lord willing," we will do this or that. Because of Clinton's love for farming and animals, his four sons had the benefit of life experiences only a few kids in today's modern society can share: plowing a garden with a horse pulled plow, milking a cow by hand, being taught how to respectfully handle a shotgun and a rifle, and having the freedom to just be boys. Although Clinton's sons grew up in a humble home and possessed few materialistic things, none regret that they grew up in the home of this great man and Dad. From an early age, Clinton knew what it was like to live a life of simplicity, and sometimes, extreme poverty. He spent many of his early years enduring the historical Great Depression. When Clinton was just a young teenager, his father's failing health resulted in even tougher times. So, the tough and tenacious Clinton gave up his schooling and began working to help his family survive. When Clinton turned 18 years old, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps ("CCC"), a wonderful program developed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide work to relieve young men from the horrible economic pressures of the Great Depression. Clinton, a teenage boy from the back woods of West Virginia, soon found himself in Utah among the prairie dogs, an experience he always cherished. While in the CCC, every month Clinton sent most of his pay home to his parents. Clinton was always a natural leader and, even at this young age, he was appointed leader of his group in the CCC. After Clinton's stint in the CCC's , he came back home to West Virginia and worked a short time in the coal mines. However, in September 1942, he received his orders to report for induction into the Army of the United States of America. Even though he lacked much formal education, he was promoted to Technical Sergeant, Grade 4. As Technical Sergeant, Clinton supervised French workers, trained soldiers, and guarded prisoners, always careful to treat them with dignity and respect. During his military career he was noted as an expert shot with the M-1 rifle, a skill that many rabbits, grouse, and squirrels most assuredly wished he hadn't possessed. Clinton served in the Army until discharged on December 2, 1945, a short time after World War II ended . For his service in the Army, Clinton was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon. Clinton was a small, wiry man his entire life and, even at the age of 91, he could still fit into his Eisenhower jacket, the jacket he wore when his battalion entered into French cities to liberate them from the Nazi's in World War II. He often remarked that he never wanted to have the jacket dry cleaned since it was stained with the joyous tears of the French as they hugged him and the other soldiers who helped liberate them. Clinton always possessed a great love for children. When the Army or Red Cross gave the soldiers candy or chewing gum, Clinton always gave his portion to the children who were near him. He often talked of the fondness he had for the nuns that would grab the children and rush them into bomb shelters during bombing raids. Clinton always put others' comfort, safety and nourishment ahead of his own. Giving away candy was one of his great trademarks. Everyone who came to his house would be offered a handful of candy bars or mints within five minutes after walking through the door. His doctors, nurses, and neighbors were not excluded; he gave them candy, too. Even though he would say, "You're getting a little belly on you!" and pat your tummy, he always wanted to fill your hand with some kind of candy or volunteer his wife to make you something to eat. After his return from World War II, Clinton returned to Raleigh County, West Virginia. Not long after his return, he met a beautiful Italian girl named Dorothy Galluccio and they soon fell in love. In just a short time, they married on September 12, 1946. When someone would ask him how he ever got this beautiful, Godly woman to marry him, his witty comment would be "I don't know how I got her, I just cut her out of the herd." This precious woman stood by Clinton's side for over 65 years always supporting, nurturing, and nursing him. She never left his side during sickness, trial or any other problem. Her desire, and his, was that they would be together when he passed from this world. He wanted to die at home in his own bed, not in an unfamiliar hospital room. Thankfully, God honored that desire. Clinton's work career included coal mining, which ended in the recession of the late 1950s. His coal mining career was a tough time for his family and he had to begin carpentry work and painting. Sometimes, he had to work two or three jobs with very low wages to provide for his family. Clinton also worked for a short time as a foreman for the West Virginia Department of Highways and his last working position was sectional foreman on the West Virginia Turnpike. He retired from the West Virginia Department of Highways in 1974. Clinton Ayers loved his family with all of his heart. He was always disappointed that he did not have a daughter, but made up for it by loving and spoiling his daughters- in- law, nieces and granddaughters. Clinton was the last of his eight siblings to pass away. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mitchell and Viola Ayers; his sisters, Virginia, Beatrice, Margaret, Glenna May, and Virgie; and his brothers, Everett and Cammon. He is survived and sadly missed by his adoring wife, Dorothy; his beloved sons, Clinton C. Ayers, Jr., Gary S. Ayers, Sr. and wife, Dana; Dr. Mark A. Ayers and wife, Judy; and, Gene P. Ayers and wife, Debra; his grandchildren, Scott Ayers and wife, Jewell; Angela England and husband, Ivan; Alisha Hernandez and husband, Ryan; Daniel Ayers and wife, Violet; Amy Ayers, Timothy Ayers, Diana Ayers, Jeremy Ayers, and Charity Ayers; his great-grandchildren, Brandon Ayers, Ashley Ayers, Travess Smalley, Hannah England, Rachael England, Nathaniel Hernandez, Olivia Hernandez, LilyCait Ayers, and Kinsley Ayers. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a host of friends and neighbors. The family wishes to thank all who ever helped them during Clinton's times of sickness and need. The family also wishes to extend its gratitude to Clinton's physicians, Dr. Cordell Honrado, the late Dr. Salvatore S. Pecora, Dr. Kelly M. Pitsenbarger, and Dr. Jebran Karam for their great medical care. In addition, the family would especially like to thank Tommy and ZoAnn Cochran for the many acts of kindness and love they have shown the Ayers family over the past few years. To honor the life of Clinton C. Ayers, Sr., a memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 2, 2012 at Bethel Freewill Baptist Church, MacArthur, WV. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Dr. Beckley, WV.