Clarence Leroy Staats, 77, of Buena Vista, died Tuesday, April 3, 2007 in the Stonewall Jackson Hospital.

He was born January 2, 1930 in West Virginia, a son of the late Charles Staats and Blanche Westfall Staats.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Vada Dustin Staats and a daughter, Deborah Staats.

He served in the U.S. Army in Korea.

He was retired from Columbia Gas with 35 years of service.

He is survived by three sons: Bobby Staats and wife, Rosemary of Beckley, West Virginia; Larry Statts and wife, Pamela of Lexington; and Danny Staats of Buena Vista; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 6, 2007 in the Rockbridge Memorial Gardens with Rev. Rick Ramsey officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2007 at the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Buena Vista.