Dr. Clayton W. Chance

Dr. Clayton William Chance, 88, of Cottonwood entered into the presence of his Savior on Friday, December 17, 2010 at his residence in the Cottonwood Village Retirement Center. Clayton was born in Peoria, IL on February 27, 1922 to Hannah Kunkel Chance and Charles William Chance. After graduating from Bradley University, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in the European Theater. Just prior to leaving for Europe, he met and married the love of his life, Rose Irene Davis, in El Paso, TX on June 12, 1944. Following his discharge in 1946, he and Rose settled in Cleveland, OH where there two oldest sons were born. Clayton was employed at Euclid Machinery Company for 7 seven years. In 1953, the family moved from Ohio to Austin, TX where their youngest son was born. Clayton earned his master\u0027s degree and Phd from The University of Texas in Austin. He was also a professor at UT in the School of Engineering for thirteen years. Clayton took a position with St. Joseph Junior College in St. Joseph, MO in 1966. In 1967, he moved the family to Flagstaff, AZ where he served as a Professor of Engineering Technology at Northern Arizona University for eighteen years. Dr. Chance retired from NAU in 1984 and was honored as the first Professor Emeritus from the School of Engineering Technology. Clayton was a member of Verde Baptist Church in Cottonwood since their move there in the 1984. He served the church in many positions even helping the Awana children with their memory verses well in to his 87th year. Being a tenor, Clayton delighted in singing with the Golden Boys ensemble for several years. Clayton and Rose shared a love of travel and antique cars which took them all over the United States. Clayton is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rose, his sons and their wives, Curtis and Kim of Livingston, TX, David and Jean of Gilbert, AZ and Richard and Stephanie of Colleyville, TX. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Services for Dr. Chance will be Tuesday, December 21, 2010 in the sanctuary of Verde Baptist Church, Cottonwood at 2pm and the burial with full military honors in the National Memorial Cemetery Phoenix will take place on Wednesday, December 22, at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Verde Valley Christian School, 102 South Willard St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com