William Samuel Clester

Wm. Samuel "Sam" Clester, of Belle Plaine, passed away on November 9, 2012 at the age of 72 after losing his battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Carolyn, his son Maj. Wm. Grant (Theresa) Clester; his daughter Shana (Amy) Scott, daughter of Carole Zenner Clester; his adored grandchildren Margaret, Wm. Alexander and Kathryn Clester and Alexandra Scott; and his sister Lexie Hamblin of Derby. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel "Alex" and Camille of Belle Plaine, half-brother Robert Clester of Topeka, and half-sister Marjorie Mallatt of Winfield. Sam was born and raised in Belle Plaine, was a graduate of the Wichita State University, and honorably served as a Specialist 5 in the U.S. Army. He worked as a police officer in Wellington, then found his career in the printing and paper industries which led him to reside in Houston, Los Angeles and Kansas City. In 1979, Sam moved back to Belle Plaine to become Publisher of the Belle Plaine News and other community newspapers until his retirement in 2010. He took great pride in his community. He served as President of the Belle Plaine Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in establishing Belle Plaine's annual Tulip Time Festival. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Midian Shrine Temple and also served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Press Assoc. Aside from his love of family, Sam loved being outdoors, gardening, hunting with his dogs, travel, spending time with old friends and making new ones wherever he went. A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church 124 East 10th Ave. Belle Plaine, Ks. on November 19 at 2pm. Flowers may be delivered to the church Monday morning or memorial donations may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or the Shriners' Plane of Mercy.