Stephen Doyle Clemmens, aged 84 and long-time resident of Benton City, passed away September 21, 2022 at Kadlec Hospital in Richland. Steve was born in Yakima, Washington on November 16, 1937. Like many depression-era children, life for Steve was tough. His parents, Sam and Lina Clemmens divorced when he was very young, and cancer took his beloved mother when he was 8. Lina’s father, Grandpa Spratt, came to the house and raised Steve, his younger brother Ted, and baby sister Ellen. The oldest brother, Mark was living with Sam and herding sheep.

Besides the hard work on their small farm, Steve and Ted had many adventures down by the Yakima River where they lived. In the summer they often traveled to Wapato to make pocket money picking tomatoes with cousin Dick at Aunt Nora and Uncle John’s farm. Steve attended Washington Jr. High where he received “Boy of the Month,” and then later graduated from Yakima High with good grades despite working long hours after school at Schuler’s Feed Store. After attending Yakima Valley Junior College for a time, Steve began driving truck, and by the time he retired at age 82, he had driven eighteen-wheelers millions of miles all over the Western US.

At the beginning of his long career, he married the love of his life, Nancy Mae Samuelson from Selah. They raised four happy children and moved from Selah, to Yakima, Sunnyside, Kennewick, and eventually to Benton City and the beloved little farm on Corral Creek Road. Camping and fishing with the Morgan and Kirby families were some of Steve’s favorite memories along with his fly-fishing trips to Wyoming with his son Kurt and grandson Luke. He also loved teaching Sunday school and growing vegetables on his thirteen-acre walnut farm in Benton City. His life was clearly one of decency and respect for all people. He could talk to anyone and was tirelessly kind and optimistic.

Steve is predeceased by his wife Nancy and granddaughter Emily. He is survived by his children, Kurt (Cheryl) Clemmens, Collie (Lynn) Parsons, Teresa (Tim) Montgomery, and Carrie (Danny) Frizzell. Steve was also very proud of his grandchildren, Amy, Emily, Bill, Josh, Nicole, Karly, Tom, Sean, Luke, and Hayley. And his 24 great-grandchildren were an added blessing for Steve.

Einan’s at Sunset Gardens Funeral Home in Richland is entrusted with the arrangements, and a memorial service for Steve will be held at the Benton City First Baptist Church on Saturday October 8, at 1:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton City First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 327, Benton City 99320.