Clarence William Huff Jr. was received by his Lord on October 11, 2012, at the age of 88 at his home in Rock Island. His loving and devoted wife, Mildred Huff, and attending children walked him to the gates of Heaven.
 

Funeral services celebrating his life and going home will be held at noon Friday, October 19, at Second Baptist Church of Rock Island, where he served for over 60 years. The Rev. Joseph Williamson of Second Baptist will officiate. Burial will be at Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 18, at the church and parting view on October 19 at 11 a.m. am an hour prior to services.
 

The family requests that flowers be sent to Second Baptist Church, 919 6th Ave., Rock Island, IL 61201 and contributions be sent to his home, 941 14th Ave., Rock Island, IL 61201. The family also invites family, friends and the community to join us at the internment at Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island and the repast being held at the Second Baptist Church's Family Life Center following the closing. Orr's Mortuary of Rock Island is assisting the family with arrangements.
 

Clarence Huff, Jr. was a Rock Island native and resided there his entire life except for periods of service to his nation. He was born on July 2, 1924, to Clarence William Henry Huff, Sr. and Lillie Vivian Barlow-Huff. He was educated in the Rock Island School System and graduated from Rock Island, High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and was recalled to serve another 2.5 years during the Korean War. After the Navy he attended Augustana College for almost two years.
 

Clarence's life focus was to his God, family and the Rock Island community. He always inspired all those that crossed his path to be their best selves by serving God, being responsible to family, educating oneself and service to community.
Clarence was a pillar in the community and highly respected for the time he gave advising, mentoring and tutoring children so that they could achieve higher standards of learning and a better quality of life. Through his diligent efforts in the city, he touched many lives and some achieved success from his inspiration. His efforts and service to others was validated by institutional award recognition. He was Rock Island "Citizen of the Year" multiple times, an Eagle Scout and garnered many other awards for his positive work.
 

For over 50-years he volunteered his services and lead organizations such as Boy Scouts, Rock Island Housing Authority, Project NOW, Ecumenical Council of Churches, Deacon Board/Brotherhood, leader for a variety of youth groups throughout the Quad Cities (including Metro Link), and math tutor for Second Baptist Church for the children in the community two nights per week.
In addition to his community and military service he spent 35 years of his life working at the Rock Island Arsenal, retiring as an Equipment Specialist in 1982. After retiring from the Rock Island Arsenal, he spent over 10 years working for the Rock Island School System as a Teacher's Assistant.
 

Most importantly, he committed himself to a marriage of over 54 years to his loving, devoted and surviving wife, Mildred Shelton-Huff; eight children, Clarence William Huff III, Moline, Bruce Allston Huff (Evelyn), Houston, Deborah Sue Shivers (Curtis), Milan, Emily Vivian Huff-Ellis, Rock Island, James (Bobby) Johnson (Sheryl), Lucas, Texas, Kim Allen Huff, Rock Island, and Linda Christine Shivers (Richard), Rock Island; as well as 22 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
His first wife, Betty Allston, daughter, Beva Anderson, grandsons, Kenyata Ellis and Tyson Shivers, preceded Clarence in death.