Ben Clements

Colonel Ben Hill Clements, Jr. (Boots), 85, departed this life on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 in Purcell, Oklahoma. Boots was born August 18, 1922 in Greenville, Texas to Ann Louise Hambrick and Ben Hill Clements. He grew up in Fort Worth and Greenville, graduating from GHS in 1939. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he graduated from Cadet School in Marfa, Texas as a B-17 pilot. In 1943, he was assigned to Grafton-Underwood Army Base in England where he piloted 35 safe missions with his B-17 crew. Lt. Clements was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for safely landing his B-17 with two crippled engines. In February of 1945, Ben returned to Greenville where he married the love of his life, Dellalou Morris Hunt. Colonel Clements was re-activated into the Air Force in 1947. During his 20-year military career, he was stationed at Walker AFB in Roswell, NM, McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas, and Castle AFB in Atwater, California. He graduated from Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama. He served at Offutt AFB, Strategic Air Command Headquarters, and at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA. Col Clements was an acclaimed instructor pilot for B-47s and B-52s. He was a Squadron Commander at Castle AFB and a Wing Commander at Barksdale AFB. He was the first pilot to land a B-52 in England by flying non-stop from Castle AFB in California. This was the first leg of the non-stop flight of B-52s around in the world in 1956. He was featured in Post Magazine for his participation in what was referred to as the greatest aviation achievement of that time. Col. Clements retired from the Air Force in 1965 and moved back to his home in Greenville. He flew private jets for E-Systems and became a rancher. Colonel Clements was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years and his parents. He is survived by his daughters, Judy and Jim Burns and Rev. Dr. Melinda Clements of Norman, Oklahoma, Nancy and Alan Alexander of Dallas, a son, Mark and Jerry Clements of Spicewood, Texas, seven grandchildren, Paul and Jennifer Burns, David and Jennifer Wilson-Burns, John and Kody Burns, & Andrea and Commander, US Army Pete McBride, Leslie Clements, Matthew Clements, and Douglas Clements, three great grandchildren, Allison and Christopher Wilson-Burns and Jude Morgan Burns. Colonel Clements service will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 12:00 P.M. at Peters Funeral Home with burial with full military honors to follow at East Mount Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday at Peters Funeral Home. It is requested that memorials be made to the Hunt County Humane Society of Greenville, Texas in honor of Ben and Dellalou Clements. The online guest book can be signed at www.petersfh.com or www.herald-banner.com