William Leroy Clothier

William Leroy Clothier of Lusby, MD passed away on September 30, 2023. He was 83 years old. He was born on May 19, 1940 in Piney Neck, MD to the late William Oliver & Dorothy Virgina (Elmore) Clothier. Bill was the oldest of five surviving brothers: Romie & Oyma, Robert, Douglas & Debbie, John and Barry & Jeannie Clothier. He graduated from Rock Hall High School in 1958 and then joined the U.S. Navy on June 19, 1958, where he and his family were deployed to several stateside naval bases as well as Japan, Italy and Cuba. Bill also served two tours in Vietnam during the war. Bill retired from the U.S. Navy as a HTCM Master Chief after 30 years of service. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, he and his wife traveled the United States for nine years in their motor home, visiting all 50 states. Bill and Ave Maria then settled in North Carolina where he was an avid beekeeper and would raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project using the profits from his honey sales. He always believed in keeping active by volunteering in local food banks and food pantries. They returned home to Maryland to be close to family, where he could enjoy fishing, crabbing and turkey shoots with his family. He continued beekeeping and started building bird houses. He and his wife would travel to craft shows where they sold the bird houses and honey at their “Birds and Bees” stand. The craft shows offered Bill the chance to share his extensive knowledge of beekeeping with anyone who was interested. When he wasn’t at craft shows he was busy doing volunteer work for local charities. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Ave Maria (Blackstone) Clothier of Lusby, MD; son William Eric & Barbara Clothier of Clements, MD; daughter Tracee & Pete Tatanish of Sparta, TN; three grandchildren: Shannon & Travis Wilkinson of Clements, MD, Kyle & Beth Clothier of Bushwood, MD, and Mitchell McCall of Alexandria, VA; and three great-grandchildren: Savannha Wilkinson, Shyanne Wilkinson and Beau Clothier. Services will be held on Saturday, October 28 at 12:00 pm at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home in Chestertown. A visitation for family and friends to gather will be held one hour prior, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the funeral home. Inurnment to follow services at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rock Hall.

William Leroy Clothier

May 19, 1940 - September 30, 2023