Clyde Wesley Marine, a World War II veteran, died peacefully at home at age 96 on Friday, September 30, 2022. A son of the late Clyde and Maude Hendrix Marine, he was born in Windham Springs, Pickens County, AL on August 10, 1926. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM, Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at Dogwood Chapel, 200 5th Street NE in Aliceville, AL. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at Panola United Methodist Church, Panola, AL with Rev. Gene Lankford and Rev. Sandy Felkins officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
He was preceded in death by Anna Bee Smith Marine, his wife of 63 years; Clyde Russell Marine, his son; and Charlie Marine and Jack Marine, his brothers.
He is survived by his daughters Connie Marine; Kathy Marine (Doug Lewis); Lisa Johnson (Terry); grandchildren Larry Gibson (Suellen); Lisa Sanders; Clint Lewis; Lane Johnson; and Stacy Johnson McNeil (Chris); great-grandchildren Reagan Gibson; Clay Gibson; Anna Sanders; Martin Sanders; Abby Grace McNeil; and Tate McNeil; sister Lucile Johnston and brother-in-law Milo Smith. He left behind a host of loving relatives; special caregivers Sandra Billups, Doris Jarrells, Sarah Lockett, Dorothy Windham, Rosetta Mack, and Mechelle Tyson; and his faithful and protective companion, his Dachshund dog, BeBe.
Clyde enjoyed working hard all of his life. He, his father, and brother Charlie founded Marine and Sons, Inc. in 1948 as a land clearing business. All three worked as hard as any employee and provided jobs for many. Over time, the business moved from land clearing to wood chip production, building and operating chip mills in Aliceville and Coker. Later, the business evolved into constructing numerous other mills across the Southeast. Even after retiring, he continued to work on multiple projects at his home, including but not limited to restoring antique engines, reconfiguring the fuel system of a Mercedes car to run on used peanut oil, donating a telescope to a local church school, and converting his home to solar-heated water. His enthusiasm for these projects allowed him to retain his sharp mind and body until age 96, actually leaving many current projects in his shop and yard.
Clyde was very involved in his community. He served his Panola United Methodist Church for more than 70 years as lay leader, Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Board of Stewards, and general maintenance man. As the "patriarch" of the Panola UMC BBQ, he was involved since its inception in the 1940s. On a church-based mission trip to Niger, Africa, he helped build wells and was fortunate enough to escape a military coup. He also served as Fire Chief of the Dancy-Cochrane Volunteer Fire Department for years. Although he no longer went on calls, he listened to the emergency radio to know all local problems. He was always very generous with his time and money to those in need.
Clyde was a very outgoing person who enjoyed life. A voracious reader of all genres, he was a collector of antique tractors, farm equipment, fire engines, books, and much more. He used his GI Bill for flying lessons and maintained his pilot's license since 1949. His intellectual curiosity and ingenuity were driving forces in his life. "He had the knack of taking the simplest thing and making it fun and interesting.  He was a joy to know."
Pallbearers will be Mark Johnston, Reed Marine, Dennis Burns, Joe Roberts, Merritt Smith, and Mike Brewer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Panola UMC (Preservation or Cemetery Fund), 48030 AL Hwy 17, Aliceville, AL 35442 or to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.