Clarence Paylor

Clarence Graves Paylor was born to Elder Graves Paylor and Willie (Phelps) Paylor in Detroit, Michigan on November 24th, 1930. The eldest of 5 children, Clarence is survived by Freddie, Esther (George), Richard (Orpah) and Eddie. Raised in a spiritual household, rich morals and values were instilled in him from a young age. That sense of morality and responsibility was evident throughout his life.

Clarence was always a decisive go getter. It is recalled that at 12 years old he told his mom he met the girl he was going to marry, and on October 15th, 1955 Clarence and Betty (Rouse) were married. In 1952 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was on active duty until honorably discharged on November 13th, 1959.

Commonly known as a Mr. Fix-It, Clarence worked a slew of mechanic jobs, sometimes they overlapped and it was hard to tell where one ended and another began. He was a mechanic at Chuck’s Crankshaft, Detroit Street and Railroad, Dodge Truck, Dodge Main, Porterfield Wilson Pontiac dealer and then finally on to Ford Motor Company until he retired in 1999.

Fixing things was not only his job but also a hobby. People recount him being able to fix anything, even getting up at 3 am and going to fix a friend’s child’s toy motor car! His friendships and hobbies were intertwined, he loved to be with friends from all walks of life doing anything that could get him out of the house. Clarence loved cars, cameras, cooking and traveling. Annual trips and family outings are amongst some of the most memorable times, where there was laughter, stories, food and more.

As a family man, he relentlessly fostered a passion for knowledge, education and wisdom in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Detailed and meticulous in every aspect of his life, he was a modern day renaissance man. Keeping up to date with his gadgets helped him continue to be a renaissance man, a man that not only could fix but would improve everything he touched. He was dependable in that way, someone we could count on to be there and to be there early.

He was, truly, an amazing person. Funny, dependable, punctual and honorable only graze the surface of describing someone who was so influential to so many people.

He is survived by his wife Betty, and 8 children: Sharon Sabbath (Derek), Dennis Young, Denise Young, , Marlene Hudgins, Darlene May (Donald), Anita Washington (Edwin), Clarence Paylor, and Angela Paylor. 20 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren will and countless nieces, nephews, family and friends will celebrate the legacy he left.