Obituary of Clarence Alfred Stancil

On Tuesday, September 16, 2014, Clarence Alfred Stancil, Sr., age 94, passed away of natural causes at ManorCare Health Services, Lacey, Washington, with family at his side. Born March 21, 1920, in Caddo County, Oklahoma, to Orianna Reynolds and Alfred Abe Stancil, Clarence was the second of seven siblings. His brother Russell and wife Marietta reside in Olympia; he was preceded in death by Annie, Dorothy, Frances, Wesley and Barbara. Prior to his passing, Clarence lived on the Ranch in Tenino with his wife of nearly 30 years, Lola. He was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his sons, Eva, in 1980. Clarence graduated from Yelm High School in 1939. He relived and shared his position on the championship football team each time a grandson walked into the room. As a World War II veteran, he served in the United State Navy from December 1941 to August 1945. Clarence was classified as a Ship’s Cook, First Class. Clarence spent many years in the woods with his horses as a logger and was known for his strength and skill in falling trees and working his horses to clear the land. He spent a number of years self-employed, eventually retiring from Weyerhaeuser. Clarence was a horseman and was known throughout the Northwest as the Top Expert Teamster, based on his skill and knowledge of draft horses and the trade. The number of horses Clarence had on the farm over the years is unknown; however, there was never a time he didn’t have at least a team. His preferred breads were the larger Percheron and Belgian. Upon his death, he had smaller breads, a team of Norwegian Fjords and a team of Haflingers. A competitor, Clarence traveled to pulling contests over the years, the last when he was in his 80s. He always claimed to have the strongest team and has pictures, trophies and ribbons to prove it. Clarence and Lola were Wagon Masters for the Washington State Centennial Wagon Train in 1989 that traveled from Vancouver to Olympia. Over 150 people joined the week long wagon train, either by wagon or on horseback. Clarence also led other wagon trains and was involved in many parades around Washington State, including the Seafair Parade in Seattle. He enjoyed using his horses for weddings, pumpkin patch rides, or any time someone stopped by who wanted to go for a wagon ride. He was fortunate enough to have enjoyed a wagon ride recently when a neighbor stopped by and offered to hook up the harnesses. Clarence is survived by his four sons, Gerald and wife Rita of Olympia, Thomas and wife Roxie of Rainier, Orville of Spanaway, Clarence and wife Annette of Yelm; step-daughters all of Olympia, Reola and husband Jack Robinson, Connie and husband John Barlow, and Renee Corcoran. He is also survived by over 80 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 27, 2014, at the Rainier Sportsman’s Club, Alaska Street, Rainier, WA. Clarence will be transported a short distance by beloved horses and wagon in Rainier, followed by a Graveside Service at 2:00 p.m. at Mills and Mills Memorial Park, 5725 Littlerock Rd. SW, Tumwater, WA 98512. A potluck reception/celebration of life will take place afterward at the Rainier Sportsman’s Club. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clarence’s name may be made to one of the following programs: Tenino High School FFA Program, ASB Secretary, PO Box 4024, Tenino, WA 98589; Rainier High School FFA Program, PO Box 98, Rainier, WA 98576; or the Yelm School District FFA Program, PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597. Please include the name Clarence Stancil FFA Memorial on checks/envelopes. Please leave memories of Clarence or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.