Clarence Hamilton

Clarence Edward Hamilton, 90, a longtime Colfax, Wash., resident, passed away Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. He went by many names: Dad, Pops, Papa, FP (i.e. Favorite Person), Gramps, Grandpa, Sweetheart and Honey.  

Clarence passed very peacefully from this life into eternity, surrounded by Laura (his wife of 19 years), his three children, their spouses and his faithful dog, Buddy. Clarence had dealt with the effects of dementia for approximately seven years. He was always fearful of ending up in a nursing home, and the family is eternally grateful for his loving caregivers who made his wish of passing at home possible. His caregivers were his daughter-in-law, Soni Hamilton, stepdaughter Denise Beck and family friends Molly Overby and Rindy Waldo, as well as several of his other family members and Gentiva Hospice.  

Funeral services will be held at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds in the community building at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. There will be a catered luncheon immediately after the service in the same location. Following the luncheon, there will be a graveside service at the Endicott Cemetery, where all are welcome. 

Clarence was born in Colfax, Wash., on Sept. 25, 1935. He was able to fulfill his desire to live out his life on the farm that his great-grandparents settled on in 1887. The only time he spent away from the farm were the years he spent in the Army between 1958 and 1960, and a short time when his father was stationed at the naval base in Bremerton, Wash. Clarence started the first grade in Bremerton. A very significant event that occurred to him there was he was traumatized by a girl who gave him a kiss in the coat closet. Clarence often joked how he never got far in life, he just went around the corner — from his parents’ house to his grandparents’ house where he lived out the remainder of his life.  

Clarence married his beautiful wife, Yvonne Vivian Nelson, in a small ceremony in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on Aug. 28, 1960. They were married for 45 years before Yvonne passed of cancer Oct. 13, 2005 (which was twenty years and four days before Clarence’s passing). In 1969 Clarence and Yvonne started the Stitching Shoppe fabric store in Colfax, Wash. They had branch stores in Pullman, Wash., as well as a sewing machine store in Spokane, Wash. Yvonne ran the fabric side of the business and Clarence sold and repaired Bernina sewing machines, but his heart was always that of a farmer. In 1980 Clarence’s father, Ed Hamilton, retired from the farm, which opened the way for him to return to farming. Clarence never saw a network marketing company he didn’t like. He started in Amway in 1965 and continued dabbling in them until he was no longer able. Clarence loved the outdoors, and spent as much time as he could hunting, fishing and camping with his family. After a nightmare trip in the Jeep Wagoneer to Texas and Georgia, he came home and bought a motor home. Many miles were spent driving around the country as a family, making memories. They made trips as far away as the Midwest, and as close as an overnight trip to the Snake River.  

Clarence married his lovely wife, Laura (Robertson) Beck, in Moses Lake, Wash., on Aug. 28, 2006. While he and Laura were looking at dates to be married, Clarence thought it would be good to keep the date the same as his first marriage, so he would have no excuse to ever forget his anniversary date.  

Clarence made his choice to serve the Lord when he was 18 years old. This was a decision he never strayed from at any point in his life. His home hosted a weekly fellowship meeting that he lovingly led until his health no longer allowed it. Clarence gave his three kids a safe home filled with love and his constant sense of humor. 

Clarence is survived by his wife, Laura; daughter Jodie (Hamilton) Young of Colfax, Wash.; son Steve (Margie) Hamilton of Colfax, Wash.; son Daaron (Soni) Hamilton of Endicott, Wash.; stepdaughter Denise Beck of Spokane, Wash.; stepson Dustin Beck of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his brother-in-law Barry (Buck) Nelson of Hayden, Idaho; sister-in-law Marcella Nelson of Sandpoint, Idaho; his only first cousin Gerald (Janice) Mitchell of Colfax, Wash.; and brother-in-law Wally Robertson of Lewiston, Idaho. Clarence was preceded in death by his first wife, Yvonne (Nelson) Hamilton, his parents, his spouses’ parents; his sister, Vivian Harder, and brother-in-law William Harder Sr. and their three sons, William Jr (Billy), Kurt and Eric, all from Kahlotus, Wash.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jack and Betty Nelson of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law Dwyla Nelson of Hayden, Idaho; brother-in-law Bill Nelson of Sandpoint, Idaho; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Malcolm and Glenna Robertson of Spokane, Wash.; sister-in-law Carol Robertson of Lewiston, Idaho; son-in-law Larry Young of Colfax, Wash.; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Ellen Rose Dixon of Spokane, Wash..  

A call-in number is available for anyone who is unable to attend the service in person. That number is 727-731-0448. The family is requesting any donations be given to either the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds or the Endicott Cemetery. 

Corbeill Funeral Homes of Colfax is caring for the family. Online condolences may be made at corbeillfuneralhomes.com.