Clarence Earl Payment

Clarence Earl Payment, age 92, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan passed away Saturday morning, June 29, 2013 at Hospice of EUP - Hospice House. Clarence was born May 23, 1921 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to the late Clifford and Cecilia (Roy) Payment. Clarence attended Sault area public schools through the 8th grade. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during WWII. Prior to shipping out for military service, Clarence hand-dug the water and sewer lines to the family home, the length of a city block. Clarence began his military service with the Army Field Artillery. He later became an Infantry Scout, serving with Company 'G' of the 275th Infantry. Injured in an artillery strike during the Battle of the Bulge, Clarence was MIA for a short time. As a result of his injuries, Clarence lost partial use of his left arm and left lung. Returning home, he was awarded the Purple Heart, and Honorably Discharged from the Army. He married Lorraine M. Gould on November 22, 1941 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Clarence began his work history at a young age. He started at his grandfather's dairy farm. He later worked at other area farms, and a local bakery. Prior to WWII, Clarence did concrete work on the Mac Arthur Lock. His photo is on display in the Soo Locks Visitors Center. Following WWII, Clarence worked as a truck driver and manager of Soo Bottled Gas. He was owner of Zephyr Gas and Superior Oil. Later - for 8 years, he worked at Kincheloe Air Force Base, at the propane conversion/heating plant. During a power outage at the base, the heating plant experienced an explosion. Responding to the crisis, and at the risk of great personal injury, Clarence shut down several propane tankers on the rail-spur adjacent to the plant. His actions served to limit the effects of the explosion -potentially saving lives, and earned Clarence the highest civilian award for bravery issued by the U.S. military. Following the explosion, Clarence spent many months in the hospital burn-ward. He was always very humble about the attention he received over his willingness to act, merely stating: "I just did what I thought needed to be done." In later years Clarence was employed by Tempo Company, was co-owner of the Western Auto and Allan Lumber with his son Don, and owned Payment's Town and Country Buildings. He was a talented self-taught draftsman and inventor with a current patent pending. Clarence loved flying - he got his pilot's license in the 1980s - and owned his own plane. He enjoyed boating and fishing (took many trips into Canada), cross country skiing, biking, restoring old cars, building boats, and woodworking of all types. Clarence loved challenges, always looking forward to the next one. He was a very private, quiet man, who enjoyed helping others. No need was too large or too small. Kindness and respect for others were part of his life. His family was his top priority, and much loved by him. He was a greatly loved and admired father and grandfather. He had boundless energy, a can-do attitude, and a general love of life. Clarence was a long-time active member of the Presbyterian Church, and the Elks Org., where he was a two-time Grand Exalted Ruler. He was an instrumental leader in the Odd Fellows Lodge, where he recently helped to complete their new local meeting hall. He enjoyed spending his evenings dancing with his wife and socializing at the Senior Citizens Club. Clarence is survived by his children: Richard (Linda) Payment of Orting, WA, (Bonnie) Payment of Grandville, MI, Connie (Tim) Baldwin of Oconto, WI, and Susan (Gary) Burgoyne of Brownsburg, IN, 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; one brother: Glenn Roy Payment of Ishpeming, MI and many nieces and nephews. Clarence was preceded in death by his wife: Lorraine (Gould) Payment, son: Donald, siblings: Loretta Payment, Philip Payment, and Robert Payment. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, July 5, 2013 at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home starting at 10:00 AM and continuing until the time of the service. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Hospice of the EUP.

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Clarence Earl Payment

May 23, 1921 - June 29, 2013