Claire McIlvaine

A visitation will take place on Monday, August 5, 2024 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple, Texas.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 11:00am at Christ Episcopal Church in Temple, followed by burial at Bellwood Memorial Park in Temple.

Claire was born on November 15, 1933, in Weslaco, Texas, to Blake and Helen Williams. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, San Antonio, Texas in 1951 and went on to attend Texas State College for Women in Denton. At the time, the college was the “sister school” to Texas A&M, an all-male institution. It was tradition to name one student per year as Aggie Sweetheart. Nominees would visit College Station for interviews and be selected by Texas A&M students. In 1952, Claire was honored as the "Aggie Sweetheart," a title she cherished deeply. During halftime at the Aggies vs SMU football game, Claire was presented as the 1952 Aggie Sweetheart. As tradition went, the band spelled out her name on the field. A very proud moment she would fondly remember throughout her life.

While home from college in the summer of 1953, Claire attended a San Antonio Missions baseball game with her father, a devoted fan. It was at this game that she met Stan McIlvaine. Stan was the new, youngest General Manager in the history of the team. Their meeting blossomed into a deep and lasting love that lasted 60 years. Claire and Stan married in 1954 and soon started their family. Their life together took them across the country with Stan’s career, but they eventually settled in Arlington, Texas, where they spent many years. Claire was actively involved in her community, dedicating her time to volunteering at Arlington Memorial Hospital and volunteering on the flower guild at St. Albans Episcopal Church. Her favorite hobby was sewing and quilting. She spent many hours making clothes for her two daughters, as well as many costumes for her grandkids.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Stan, and her brother Blake Williams, Jr. She is survived by her two daughters, Marci Buehler and her husband Thomas, and Michelle Stickney and her husband Webster Jr.; her seven grandchildren, Lindsey Knight and her husband Chris, Blake Buehler, Brian Buehler and his wife Amber, Brent Buehler and his wife Allison, Ashley Haag and her husband Joey, Ryan Altum and his wife Becca and Jenna Green; eight great-grandchildren, Evan, Ava, and Owen Knight; Cameron and Tripp Haag; Breelyn and Bristol Buehler; Oliver Altum; and one more on the way. She is also survived by nieces Jane Steves and husband Marshall ,Janet Putnam and husband Vic, and nephew Dean Williams and wife Nancy, all from San Antonio.

Claire's legacy of love and devotion will be remembered by all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Claire's name to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of choice would be appreciated.