Clarence Willis Groce, 82, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, N.C.

Clarence was born November 15, 1940, in Attica, Ind., to Thomas Joel Groce and Cornelia Lucille (Mathis) Groce.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Moser) Groce; his son, Bryan J. Groce and wife Stephanie Kaye (Roberts) Groce; his daughter, Michele Lee (Groce) Hayden and husband Matt Hayden; his grandchildren, Ellen Marie Groce, Kenny Hayden, and Kelly Hayden; his great-grandchildren. Jaylen Cosby and Aeriel Hayden; his brother, Gary Groce and wife Alice (Crabtree) Groce; his niece, Melissa (Groce) Ratcliff and husband John Ratcliff; and his great nephew, Kyle Lee Potter and wife Jacqueline (Jamison) Potter. He was predeceased by his parents.

Clarence was a 1958 graduate of Crawfordsville High School in Crawfordsville, Ind. He retired in 2020 as a driver for Christian Tours in Denver, N.C. Prior to that, he owned a business in Salisbury, N.C., and worked sales management in Cleveland, Ohio, and Greenville, Miss. Clarence was a founding member of The Cove Church in Mooresville, N.C., where he was well known as a greeter. He 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 long-time 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 they 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, Ind.

Mary Ann resides with Bryan, Stephanie and Ellen in Mooresville, N.C.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the family.