Clovis R. Shultz, 84, of Rector died Sunday, April 18, 2004, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould.

He was born March 3, 1920, in Rosalie, Ala., to the late Joe and Olier Shultz.

He joined the Air Force, serving during World War II as an aircraft mechanic on basic trainers. While serving at Walnut Ridge Air Base, he met his future wife, Demetra Elsass. They would have been married 60 years in July.

With the closing of that base, he was transferred to Keesler Field for B-24 schooling and then was sent to Seattle for B-29 training. Upon completion, he was sent to Maxwell Field, Ala., where he served as crew chief on B-29 bombers.

He worked for Elsass' Creamery until it closed and retired from the Assessment Coordination Division of the State of Arkansas.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rector.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Demetra of the home; one daughter, Terry of Rector; one son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Marilyn of Springdale; one brother and wife, Brenon and Bertha Shultz of Calhoun, Ga., and several nephews and nieces.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, at the Rector First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jimmy Anderson officiating. Burial was in Woodland Heights Cemetery with Irby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were Richard Simmons, Bryan Blackshare, Fred Sain, Gregg Sain, Stephen Crancer and Joe Calvin.