Clarence Harrington Jr.

Clarence Harrington Jr. was born June 5, 1932, to the union of Clarence Harrington Sr. and Pauline Howlett.   He was the oldest son of 9 siblings. He confessed to knowing Christ at an early age. 

Clarence was raised by his grandmother Hallie Howlett in Alton, Illinois until the age of 17. He moved to Carbondale to be with his mother Pauline and stepfather Edward Wills.

In his early years, Clarence worked for the Semi-Peerless linen company and the State Garage before pursuing his passion of being in law enforcement. In 1968, he became a police officer for the Southern Illinois University Police Department.

He was united in marriage to Yolanda D. Williams and from that union they were blessed with three sons and a daughter. 

Clarence was a member at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he was actively involved in many church ministries over the years. His passion was singing quartet music with The Spiritual Travelers.

 Over the years, they traveled to perform with groups like The Canton Spirituals, Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes, The Gates of Heaven, and Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. His pride and joy was the Annual Gospel Roundup.

 Clarence was a man who loved his friends and family very much. He was the patriarch and the glue who held his family together. 

He always welcomed anyone who needed him with open arms. He was a people person, and his personality was bigger than life. He would stop and talk or joke with people wherever he went. He had a great sense of humor and was a very “matter of fact” kind of person. He was known for being dressed from head to toe every Sunday.  (Thanks to Yolanda LOL).

Clarence was preceded in death by sons: Clarence “Sonny” Harrington III and Anthony “Tony” Harrington.

Clarence leaves to cherish his memory and to continue his legacy his devoted and loving wife Yolanda of 42 years, and their 4 children, DeAndre (Lynnea), Rafael, Nevaeh, and DeAndre, Jr. 

His five children from his first wife Mildred; Clarence Harrington III (deceased), Sherrie (Cavour), Don (Arlene), Anthony, Angela, and Stacy (Mother, Sarah). 

Grandchildren; Chris (Andrea), Felicia, Doyrne (Sylvia), Gayla, Jamie (Tanesha), Jasmyn, Chloe, Michael, Missy, Kobe James, Lehlani and Laila. 

Three brothers and three sisters; Robert Wills, Donald Ray (Deborah) Wills, Timothy (Angela) Harrington, Paulette (David) Sherwood, Dr. Vera Hayes, Zelda (Walter) Porter. 

He was preceded in death by 4 siblings James Wills, Fred Wills, David Harrington and James Harrington. 

Professional Services were Entrusted to Southern Cremation and Burial Services of Murphysboro, IL.