Clarence Harold Walthall
Port Hueneme, CA

After a lengthy decline in health, Clarence Walthall, 83, a longtime resident of Port Hueneme passed away in the early hours of December 10, 2015. He was contradiction personified: a vet who was a hardcore liberal; a GED graduate with an incredible intellect; an atheist who believed in life beyond this world; a softie inside a tough guy shell.
   8cm to Silver Lake, Kansas on December 21 1931, "Buster” was a child of the Depression living with family In both Kansas and Oklahoma. In the early 1940’s, his mother Ruth Perry married Bob Rugalado, and they moved to Cotonla in Oxnard, a time of happiness and family. he always treasured. In 1948 he dropped out of Oxnard High School to join the Amy. When the Army discovered he was only 16 they sent back to his mother wrote him a permission slip and returned him to the Amy. He was a paratrooper with both the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions and a Ranger. In 1957, as a member of the 101st he helped to integrate Central High School to Little Rock, Arkansas. He fought in Korea and Vietnam, and though he was most proud of his Combat infantryman Badge, ne was a highly decorated soldier, including a Bronze Star for heroism with Task Force Faith the Battle of Ctiosin Reservoir and a Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation for his actions with the 1st Cavalry at the Battle of Ia Drang Valley.
   Alter 20 years in the Army, where he got the nickname of “Tiger” --- he retired but had another career, this one even longer at 31 years working for PetroSeed in Saticoy. He excelled m both careers because of an almost obsessive attention to detail and organization as we# as a superhuman work ethic, He was well-respected in both Jobs, but more importantly he met friends who were important to him in his last days.
   Stationed b» Japan in 1952 he met Kazuko Tachibana, and they were married three years later. They celebrated their 50th anniversary with one of their many vacations to Las Vegas, sharing the celebration with their only son bill, his wife Lisa, and grandsons Kyle and Jack. He was a both a loving husband a proud father. In his final years, he moved in with Bill, Lisa, and the boys and be took on his greatest role and nickname of “Pa," an absolutely doting grandfather to both Jack and Kyle as well as every one of their friends.
   Declining health over the past two decades slowed him down, but only recently stopped him from doing the things he loved. The last few months had been particularly tough on him, but he passed peacefully, and for that the family is thankful.
   There will be grief of course, but his was a life to celebrate. Bill and Lisa will host an Open House Celebration of the lives of both Clarence and Kazuko for all who knew them. On his birthday, December 22, at Bill and Lisa’s home in Port Hueneme, from 3-7 pm.
   In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Wounded Warriors project in the name of MSgt (RET) Clarence Walthall.

He was a man. Take him for all in all
I shaft net took upon his like again.
 -Shakespeare

In 1953 in Tokyo's Ueno Park, she met Clarence H. Walthall, Jr., an US Army soldier stationed in Japan. Clarence would become her husband in 1955 and the father of her only son, William Robert, in 1963. Clarence and Kazuko moved to the US in 1957, and the two traveled throughout the southern US as Clarence finished his stint in the military. In 1968, Kazuko moved with her family to Port Hueneme, where she created a wonderful home for both her husband and son.

"Ma" is survived and will be missed by sisters Emiko Takase and Sumiko Ueda, husband Clarence, son Bill, daughter ("in-law") Lisa Beauregard Walthall, and the two joys of her life, grandsons, Kyle Masakazu Walthall (12) & Jackson Minoru Walthall (6), as well as dozens of extended family, friends, and neighbors who loved her for her generosity, wonderful cooking, and strength.

Kazuko was in the midst of another fight with lung, lymph node and adrenal gland cancer this year.

Per Kazuko's wishes, her cremated remains will be scattered at sea.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the American Cancer Society.