SGM (RET) Wilbur Clouser

SGM (RET) Wilbur Clair Clouser, 90, of Clarksville, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Gateway Medical Center.
A celebration of his life will be 10 a.m., Thursday, April 12, 2012 at New Providence United Methodist Church with Rev. B.J. Brack officiating. Burial will follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, Hopkinsville, with full military honors.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Chapel and from 9 a.m. until the hour of service Thursday at the church.
He was born September 15, 1921 in Juniata, PA and was the son of the late, William Jonathan and Margaret Eva Adams Clouser. He married the love of his life, Dona Karnell Hutchens of July 7, 1942 in Charleston, MO. He proudly served over 24 years in the United States Army. He served in all four European campaigns of WWII, to include two combat jumps: parachuting into Normandy prior to the invasion and during Operation Market Garden with C Company, 1/506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. During his career he made a total of 387 jumps. He served three tours in Germany, as well as one tour of Iran and Korea. Aside from serving with the 101st Airborne Division, which was nearest and dearest to his heart, he also served with the 11th Airborne, 82nd Airborne, 1st Cavalry, and 24th Infantry Divisions. During his illustrious career, he also served as a jump instructor/master rigger with the Army Airborne School, Ft. Benning, GA and as an ROTC instructor at Washington Jefferson College, Washington, PA. Upon his retirement, he served as Deputy Finance Officer, Fort Campbell, KY, from which he also retired.
He was a true patriot, who served this great country of ours with pride, a pride to which he instilled to his children and grandchildren from birth. He was a much decorated soldier with awards to include: Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart with two oak clusters, Bronze Star, Good Conduct medal with silver clasp and loop, European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal with arrowhead and bronze star attachment with three bronze stars, WWII Victory Medal, Army Occupation (Germany) Badge, National Defense Medal with bronze star, Presidential United Citation with cluster, Master Parachute Badge, Glider Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, French Croix Degueere, Belgian Fourraguere, and the Netherland Orange Lanyard.
He held membership in a wide variety of associations/organizations: 101st Airborne Division (lifetime member), WK&T Chapter of the 101st Airborne Division (lifetime member), 506th Infantry Association, 11th Airborne Division Association, Associate Member of the 187th Infantry Association, Military Order of Purple Heart, VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (life time member), a 61 year Mason, and was recognized as an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. He was recognized as a Distinguished Member of the 506th Infantry Regiment in 2010 and as a Distinguished Honorary Member of the 187th Infantry Regiment in 2011.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer, frequenting the greens of Cole Park Golf Course for many years. He also enjoyed playing cribbage, dominoes and horseshoes.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Daisy Miller Clouser; sister, Betty Clouser Young; and brother, Melvin Arthur Clouser.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 69 years, Dona Karnell "Connie" Hutchens Clouser; two sons, Tommy (Peggy) Clouser, Randy (Allison) Clouser, both of Clarksville; two daughters, Carol (Dean) Freeman, Womego, KA, Kristi (James) Skurzewski, Clarksville; nine grandchildren, Leigh (Jay) Harrison, Phillip (Emily) Clouser, Kelly Freeman, Jon (Laura) Clouser, Adam Stefko, Rob Clouser, Hayley Stefko, Brady Miller; as well as five great-grandchildren, Olivia Harrison, Jon Wesley Harrison, Ella Clouser, Veda Clouser and Emory Clair Clouser. He is also survived by one sister, Jean McGee, Huntington, PA and two sisters-in-law, Willodean Walker, Lynn Grove, KY, Frances Clouser, American Falls, ID; along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made, in his name to: Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 2133, Fort Campbell, KY 42223-5670 or Veterans Service Transportation, 350 Pageant Lane, Clarksville, TN 37040.
Online condolences may be made at NaveFuneralHomes.com.