Clarence Willis (Sonny) Groce
Nov. 15, 1940-March 22, 2023
Clarence Willis (Sonny) Groce, 82, of Mooresville, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, North Carolina.
Clarence was born Nov. 15, 1940, in Attica, to Thomas Joel Groce and Cornelia Lucille (Mathis) Groce.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Moser) Groce; son Bryan J Groce and wife Stephanie Kaye (Roberts) Groce; daughter Michele Lee (Groce) Hayden and husband Matt Hayden; grandchildren, Ellen Marie Groce, Kenny
Hayden and Kelly Hayden; great-grandchildren, Jaylen Cosby and Aeriel Hayden; brother Gary Groce and wife Alice (Crabtree) Groce; niece Melissa (Groce) Ratcliff and husband John Ratcliff; great nephew Kyle Lee Potter and wife Jacqueline (Jamison) Potter.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Clarence was a 1958 graduate of Waynetown High School, Waynetown. Clarence retired in 2020 as a driver for Christian Tours in Denver, North Carolina. Prior to that, he owned a business in Salisbury, North Carolina, and worked sales management in Cleveland, Ohio, and Greenville, Mississippi. Clarence was a founding member of The Cove Church in Mooresville, North Carolina,where he was well known as a greeter.
Clarence enjoyed NASCAR, golf, baseball, basketball and football, and wished he’d never sold his 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and never met a stranger.
Clarence was a longtime member of a southern gospel quartet in which he sang tenor and played the piano. And while “heavenly choir” may be scriptural, we feel he’s found other
quartet men “Inside The Gate” and are worshiping in four part harmony.
There are no services planned in Mooresville. A graveside service and interment are planned for this summer in Waveland.
Mary Ann resides with Bryan, Stephanie and Ellen in Mooresville, North Carolina.
