Clarence W. Smith

Clarence “Clary” Smith, age 98, passed peacefully to Eternal Life on November 25, 2022. Clarence was born on February 29, 1924, to the late Wayne Page and Frances (William) Smith, (nee’ Boullin) in Wausaukee, Wisconsin.

At an early age, Clarence’s family relocated to Butler, Wisconsin. After completing school, Clarence proudly joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, where he was stationed in the Aircraft Anti-Artillery and Guided Missile Field at Briggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas. However, his service was interrupted when he was called home to care for his sister, Beatrice, while their mother was hospitalized.

With an Honorable Discharge, Clarence returned home, where, as fate would have it, he was reunited with his school sweetheart, Viola Zastrow. What a wonderful courtship they had and oh, how they loved to dance! In fact, there were many nights at the Nightingale Ballroom when the other dancers would just step aside to clear the floor for Clarence and Viola to swing and sway effortlessly.

Clarence and Viola were joined in marriage on June 12, 1943. Their love, commitment to family, spirit of dedication and hard work defined their 67-year marriage. One of Clarence’s greatest joys was his marriage, often speaking of Vi and reflecting on what a wonderful wife and mother she was and how they enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren grow.

Clarence diligently worked as a coin-operated machine technician servicing jukeboxes, pinball games, pool tables and more. By the mid-1940s, Clarence had mastered the trade and stepped out on his own to successfully build his own coin-operated company, Milwaukee Amusement. Clarence was hard-working, resourceful with an entrepreneurial spirit and pursued other business opportunities to compliment his business, including, Clarvi Realty. Clarence owned and operated his businesses for over 50 years.

While Clarence enjoyed the outdoors, he was a true seafarer at heart. As in life and on sea, Clarence was Captain of his own Ship. He had such passion for his first 1962 Carver Yacht and took great pride in planning the initial cruise to Sturgeon Bay. With each subsequent yacht, named Clarvi, he researched and planned adventurous excursions on the Great Lakes; eventually settling in at Miller’s Bay for his family to enjoy weekend getaways on Lake Winnebago. In search for a more permanent location, Clarence sought property in the Oshkosh area and was a true visionary in the development of the channel properties. Throughout the years, Clarence thoroughly enjoyed spending time at his lake property as it soon became the gathering place for family and friends. From navigating the waterways to trolling or casting bait for that prize walleye to anchoring boats at the swimming beach to just gazing at the sun glint across the waves or simply sitting by the campfire with a good whiskey and great friends . . . for Clarence, life was better at the lake!

Clarence realized his life-long aspiration later in life by building his home at his lake property, residing there for nearly ten years. Clarence thoroughly enjoyed living closer to his sons, Gary and Michael and their families. He always looked forward to when the whole gang came to visit, especially his daughter, Charlotte. Clarence was blessed to spend his final years under the care of his son, Dennis and his wife, Donna.

Clarence lived his life to the fullest enjoying every moment with family and friends whether it was simply meeting up at Mikeee’s Payne’s Point for a Friday night Fish Fry; or sharing a beer with Marty down at Hepfner’s Bowling Lanes and enjoying his weekly bowling league. After a day on the lake, Clarence welcomed family to backyard barbeques and by night often turned his driveway into a dance floor. He always looked forward to the annual extended family reunions at Montello’s Wilderness Campground. An avid sports fan, Clarence cheered on the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers and looked forward to tailgating when attending the games. By winter, he awaited that first snow fall anticipating trips up north to explore snowmobile trails or simply to just ride the sleds across an ice-covered lake. Clarence could often be found in his workshop singing along to Johnny Cash taking on a carpentry, plumbing or an electrical project – he truly was a resourceful fixer of all things. In later years, Clarence could often be seen cruising his property and the neighborhood on his golf cart. Clarence was an engaging storyteller, who delighted when the story ended with a great joke and laughter.

Most importantly, Clarence was our family’s true patriarch, a force to be reckoned with, the voice of reason, a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and an all-around good guy. Clarence will never be forgotten; forever remembered and missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Clarence is survived by his daughter, Charlotte (William) Berndt; his sons, Dennis (Donna) Smith; Michael (Arlene) Smith and Gary (Deborah) Smith; grandchildren, Lori (Patrick Hosch) Wessel; Kevin (Susan Keel) Smith; Michele (Steve) Zinda; Michele (George McMillin) Gerlach; Mark Smith; Michelle (Paul) Barry and Brian Smith; great-grandchildren, Katie (Benjamin) Martin and Alex Wessel; Jake and Cole Zinda; Carson Smith; Paul Jr. and Samantha Barry; great-great grandchildren, Emily and Sarah Martin. Clarence is also survived by his brother-in-law, Kenneth Zastrow. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife, Viola, sister, Beatrice Weiss and brother, Everett Smith. He was further preceded in death by other relatives, friends, and business associates.

A Memorial Service in Celebration of Clarence’s life will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the Chapel of the Chimes, Main Building at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Drive in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The Smith family will receive relatives and friends from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. with James Schutte as celebrant. Following the service, a private interment for Clarence and Viola Smith will be held at Wisconsin Memorial Park for immediate family.

As a family, we want to extend a loving thank you to Valley VNA Senior In-Home Care for their years of care. Each and every caregiver made a difference. We also want to thank all those who shared such thoughtfulness and heartfelt sympathy.

A memorial has been established to honor Clarence’s memory and his love for Lake Winnebago and the surrounding waterways. Your donation will support Winnebago Waterways recovery initiative to improve, protect and enjoy the lakes, rivers, and streams. Contributions may be given at www.fwwa.org/CWSmithMemorial or send directly to: Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, P.O. Box 1861, Appleton, WI 54912. For information on the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, please visit www.fwwa.org.