Clarence A. Lieber

Clarence Alan Lieber was born in Earlton, Kansas on March 22, 1933. He passed away quietly at his home in Goddard, Kansas of natural causes at age 82. He is survived by his wife Juanita (Thomas) Lieber, his son Alan Lieber and his daughters Nora Young and Nita Sue Cruce. Alan is the husband of Kathleen (Goins) Lieber, Nora is the wife of Greg Young, and Nita is the wife of Dr. William Cruce. Clarence’s grandchildren are Mike Harvey, husband of Amy Harvey, Jennifer Harvey, Trisha Knox, Elizabeth and Claire Lieber, Lacy and Colton Young, and Cole, Brynn, and Wyatt Cruce. His great-grandchildren are Elizabeth and Mallory Harvey, Chloe and Cade Lieber, and Addie Harvey. Clarence was predeceased by his parents, William Washington Lieber and Nora (Louck) Lieber, brother Phillip Lieber and sister Betty Swalley and is survived by his sister, Lela Stewart, 90, of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Clarence attended Burbank School, graduating in 1951, and for a time worked on the assembly line at Coleman. He married Juanita on February 18, 1955 and in 1960 he purchased Washer Specialties. His first warehouse was the size of a one car garage and his first shop was the trunk of his car. Today, Washer Specialties is the leading Kansas wholesaler and retail distributor for appliance, heating and air-conditioning parts and equipment that employs over fifty people, a founding member of W.D. Armstrong, Long Item Development, and NAPSA (National Appliance Parts Suppliers Association) and has won not only recognition but awards for service, and an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. It’s the rare man who hauls himself up by his bootstraps but Clarence was one of an even rarer breed – he was a true character who seemed to know everyone, charmed and impressed most of them. He was a larger-than-life figure and everyone who knew him seemed to have a favorite story about Clarence, but no two the same. He lived and loved life to the fullest. On a vacation to Greece, his guide kept trying to convince him to visit the Acropolis but Clarence preferred sitting at a sidewalk café, observing the life around him and sipping a drink. His observation was “I don’t need to see ruins. I am ruins.” It was an example of wisdom and humor, delivered with a grin. After his health began to fade he became more reflective and was baptized on September 27, 2015. Clarence was proud of his business success but even more proud of his family. He was the rare owner/manager who treated his employees, his friends, and his customers like family. He will be deeply mourned by all of them. Viewing is 5 to 8 pm Thursday at Resthaven Mortuary and funeral service and reception is 1:00 pm Friday, Oct. 16, 2015 at Pathway Church, Goddard, KS with graveside service following at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to Phoenix Hospice, 3450 Rock Rd, Bldg 200, Ste. 213, Wichita, Kansas 67226.