Clarence Lee Wyland

Clarence Lee Wyland, 72, of Grants Pass died October 4, 2013, at home, of a broken heart.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at 11:00 am at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Clarence was born January 14, 1941 in Reedsport, Oregon. As the eighth of nine children born to Claude Wyland and Aleena Towler, his early years were spent in Rogue River before moving to Grants Pass in 1954. From 1956 to 1963 he served in the National Guard. In 1961 he began working for Southern Oregon Plywood (Medco), where he worked until his retirement in 1992.

After two previous marriages with children, he married Delilah “Jane” Wheeler in August 1981, thereafter raising a blended family. After his retirement from Medco, he and Jane worked for Columbia Helicopters, traveling throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California, until they both left the company in 1998. Clarence and Jane then divided their time between Reedsport and Grants Pass.

He was an elder member of the Smith River Rancheria. He enjoyed fishing, boating, all aspects of the Oregon coast, and especially his wife, Jane.

He is survived by: seven children – David Wyland of Medford; Debbie Conard, Holly Wyland, and Jennie Connelly, all of Grants Pass; Neil Wyland of Chicago; Jerry Wheeler of Woodburn; and Emerald Catz of San Francisco; four siblings – Leon Gochanour, Anna Campbell, Claud Wyland, and Anice Nelson; 14 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

His wife, one brother, Frank, and three sisters, Iris, Faith, and Kitty, died before him.