Clifford Shriner

WEAVERVILLE– Clifford “Buford” Shriner, after 76 years of travel and adventure, has made his final journey to be at home with his parents, Leonard and Mary, and brother, Wayne, in Heaven. He is loved and will be dearly missed by his wife Sally; daughters Arlene, Karen, Vicki, and Kelly; son Ricky; sons-in-law Louie, Penn, and Gordon; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Cliff’s memory will also be cherished by his sister Marie; brothers Charles, Leonard Jr., Louis, and Walter; sisters-in-law Ellen, Patty, and Debbie; and many nieces and nephews. His adventures started at an early age, working routes selling peanuts prepared by his mother, Mary, to help support the family. Walking these routes instilled in him a love for travel and knowledge, a strong self-reliance and work ethic, and a penchant for sales and showmanship. He was also a man of deep faith in God, who loved to sing His praises. These traits served him well throughout his life. He wore many hats, he enjoyed wearing them all, and if he could, he would have worn more. From traveling peanut salesman to fruit-packer, to grocer, to logger, to drywall and sheetrock artist, to census taker, as well as many others, all the hats he wore allowed him to experience more of the adventure in life and to meet more of his fellow adventurers along the way. Cliff had a large family and he loved them all. Between his and his Sally’s brothers, sisters, and cousins, there was never a shortage of friends to join in on the next adventure. Fixing up and racing hot rods, going scuba diving or sailing, skiing down a mountain or across a lake, or just simply camping out in bear country with nothing but a hammock was just another weekend for Cliff and his greater family. (Full disclosure: only Buford manned the hammock, while the rest of us were in a camper trying our best to not smell like honey). Cliff loved to travel, and he shared that love with his family and friends, often taking road-trips across country with them, many times caravanning with other members of the family. There were also many shorter trips to visit friends and family in nearby states. These trips are still great memories to all those who got to travel with him. He traveled from one coast to the other and from one border to the other numerous times, every time an adventure. He truly loved the American West. With its endless expanses and incredible vistas, he always found something new and beautiful on each visit. Since Cliff has finished his travels here on earth, his family is truly saddened, and he will be sorely missed. However, they are comforted by the fact that his faith will lead him Home so that he can once again sing “How Great Thou Art” with his brother, while their mother plays the piano. Cliff, Buford, Dad, Papa Cliff… We love you and we miss you. A sharing of memories service will be held 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 2018 in West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. Reverend Roger Boone will facilitate. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Shriner’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.