Mr. Beauford Clyde Hagler, Jr.

Ward Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory

Viewed: 1944

Posted by: Ward Wilson
Date: May 10 2024 10:59 AM

After a long and deeply blessed life, Beauford Clyde Hagler, Jr. passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024, still holding the hand of his bride of 76 years, Thelma Cotton Hagler. Clyde leaves behind a legacy of love, family, faith, fine woodworking, and the very best pancakes and cornbread.

Clyde, known to his brothers as Junior, was born on December 7, 1925 in Daleville, AL. His parents, Beauford Clyde Hagler and Mary Sue Bonner Hagler, shared their love of gardening through their nursery and grove at Mockingbird Hill. They instilled in Clyde a deep faith in God and a hard work ethic. After graduating from Wicksburg High School in 1944, he proudly served his country during World War II. He later worked as parts department manager at Walden Ford Tractor Company, then Miles Ford Tractor, where he was part owner until his retirement in 1991.

He married the love of his life, Thelma Cotton, on July 17, 1948. Even though no one remembers him ever having a sip of coffee, he made a pot for her every morning during their life together. He and Thelma were faithful members of First Free Will Baptist Church of Dothan. They enjoyed sharing meals with close friends often followed by a long game of cards or dominos. In their later years, they moved to Panama City Beach, FL, where they were well cared for by the staff of Superior Residences.

Clyde is survived by his wife, Thelma Hagler, and two children, Terry (Kaye) Hagler and Lara (David) Weeks, along with his three grandchildren: Haley (L. J.) Furst of Panama City, FL; Seth (Genny) Hagler of Asheville, NC; and Taylor (Ashley) Weeks, Panama City, FL. Few things gave Clyde greater pleasure than to be with his great-grandchildren: Charlie Kyle, Claire Weeks, Caroline Weeks, Kennedy Weeks, Hart Hagler, and Jameson Hagler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Beauford Clyde Hagler and Mary Sue Bonner Hagler, and his three younger brothers, David Arthur Hagler, Travis Jackson Hagler, and Roger Ellis Hagler.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at Timbers Drive Church, 1461 Timbers Drive, Dothan, AL. A graveside service will follow at 12 at Memory Hill Cemetery, 2414 Hartford Highway, Dothan, AL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Handful of Purpose Ministries, P. O. Box 476, Ashford, AL  36312 or to Camp Victory, located in Samson, AL: www.campvictoryal.org. Clyde’s enjoyment of building and giving to others his many birdhouses may also be honored by placing a birdhouse in your own backyard.

Perhaps Clyde can best be remembered through the words of his father who wrote a column in the Dothan Progress newspaper called “From God’s Garden.” While each column contained practical tips for gardening, he also included reflections on life and his deep faith in God. One column, “The Last Days,” contained a prayer that could apply not only to his son, Clyde, Jr but to all of us: “Dear Father, help me to grow old gracefully, beautifully and creatively; to come to maturity majestically. Let me so fill my mind and soul with Thee that spiritual beauty may be my achievement through constant companionship with Thee. Amen.”

Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home Cemetery and Crematory

2414 Hartford Highway

Dothan, Alabama 36305

334-792-4194

 

www.wardwilson.com

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