Clarence E. Bolinger, 81, of Kingwood, died Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, at home with loving family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Jan. 14, 1940, in Albright, a son of the late Lloyd E. and Alma Belle Davis Bolinger.
He was a 1958 graduate of Kingwood High School. There he met his high school sweetheart, to whom he was married for 63 years. He was a wonderful role model to his family showing what true love meant as he never missed a birthday or anniversary without a very special card that expressed his love. His days started and ended with I love you and thank you.
He briefly lived and worked in Columbus, Ohio. He made many friends there and enjoyed water skiing on the Olentangy River.
In 1970, he returned to West Virginia and lived on Beech Run. He was a Preston County bus driver for 31 years hauling many children to school and various band or sport activities. In between bus runs, he worked at Eckerts.
He had many favorite pastimes, which included the buying and selling of antiques. He enjoyed owning Cheat River Antiques in Albright but worked the longest at the Bruceton Antique Mall, where he displayed his findings over a 19-year period.
He enjoyed riding his four-wheeler with friends who called their group the Rocking Chair Wranglers. Although he eventually moved off of Beech Run, he still spent countless hours enjoying some of the property he kept. He was able to build a hunting cabin and is the founding president of the Beech Run Hunting Club. Other activities he enjoyed included golfing, hunting and traveling in his RV and morning coffee at Hardees, which was always a treat with his friends.
Although he had many hobbies, his favorite activity was big family get togethers. Visits from his kids and grandchildren was the highlight of many days. He always prayed for all the kids and grandkids saying “I love them all, thank you for watching over them and caring for them.” He will be greatly missed by family, friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn Fuller Bolinger; his son, Mark E. Bolinger and wife Maria, of Hendersonville, Tenn.; his two daughters, Jo Beth Martin and husband, Rick, of Covington, Va., and Heidi Larue and husband, Joe, of Kingwood; a brother, John Bolinger and wife, Diana, of Albright; two sisters, Jean Gibson and husband, Denzil, of Albright, and Sue Bishop, of Kingwood; seven grandchildren, Maggie, Cody, Kristen, T.J. and wife Tommy, Courtney Dewitt and husband, Nick, Julie Smith and husband, Jordan and Allison; one great-grandchild, Theo; and two great-great-grandchildren, Lydia and Calvin.
He was also preceded in death by his two brothers, Donald and Junior Bolinger; a sister, Ernestine Bolinger; and one grandchild, Matthew Martin.
The family would like to thank the staff at WVU Cancer Institute for their attentive and loving care and would also like to give a special thank you to WV Caring, Shelly, Lori, Penny and Debbie, also a special thank you to Doctor McNair for all his kindness.
Our family asks that masks and social distance be observed.
Family will receive friends at Browning Funeral Home in Kingwood, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29 where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, with Pastors Joe Lamm and Mike Harriman officiating. Interment will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery.
Memorial donations in memory of Clarence may be made to Friends Thru Cancer, P.O. Box 58, Kingwood, WV 26537-0058.
Condolences:
www.browningfuneralhomewv.com
