Clarence R. Strader went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 5th, 2019 at Astria Regional Medical Center in Yakima. Clarence was born in Springside, Kansas on February 17th, 1933 to Alberta and William Strader. He attended Wiley and Hob Hill elementary. Following graduation from Yakima High in 1951 he and his brother, Cecil, enlisted in the Navy and served on a destroyer tender, the U.S.S. Piedmont AD-17. He married Willa Dean Jones on March 25th, 1960. Together they raised twin sons, Douglas and Jeffrey, and a daughter, Robin. He retired from Boise Cascade after a long career as a wood grader, at which he earned grader of the year three times.
Throughout his life he loved taking trips to the coast with his family and enjoyed fishing the creeks and rivers near Yakima He loved vegetable gardening and doing woodworking. His hand-built wooden wishing wells were some of the family’s favorites. He was a member of First Baptist Church and later a member of the Yakima Bethel Nazarene Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife Willa Dean in 1993, two brothers, Bill and Dale Strader, and a sister, Betty Gilley. He is survived by his sons Doug (JoAnne) Strader and Jeff (Lori) Strader, both of Yakima, and daughter Robin (Dave) Duvall of Shreveport, LA, a brother and sister-in-law Cecil and Virginia Strader of Cottage Grove, OR, a sister-in-law, Jean Byrd of Moxee, WA, grandchildren, Erin, Kelly, Linsey, Gavin, Jennifer, Alaina and Eric, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thanks goes to his dear friend for 30 years, Lupe Bell. She was always cheerful, considerate and funny, and was always there for him. He loved each time weekly when they would get to do something together.
Clarence will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was always kind, cheerful and easygoing.
Thank you to all the staff and the close friends at Sun Tower retirement community.
A graveside service will be Monday the 16th at 11:00 AM at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
