Clinton "Tallboy" Painter, 60, was born to Owen and Ellen Jones Painter on May 18, 1952. Clint left this world after a long illness at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C., on February 26, 2013.
Clint was born on Poca River Road and was one of 10 children. His childhood was filled with happy times but it was a hard life. He learned many valuable lessons about hard work and honesty that made him the man he became and those lessons he carried with him for his lifetime. Clinton loved his family so much.

Clinton graduated from Sissonville High School in 1970 and was one of what many people consider as one of the best basketball teams ever to play at Sissonville. Clinton was coached by Jerry Moore and after 43 years still carried a special place in his heart for his teammates. Clinton was the first male basketball player from Sissonville High School to receive a full scholarship at Fairmont State College, where he played for the legendary Coach Jo Jo Retton. The Fairmont Falcons won a trip to the NCAA tournament in 1971 in Kansas City, Mo. For a young man who hadn't been out of Sissonville much his entire life, this was the moment of a lifetime.

Clinton was a heavy equipment operator for 40 years, working in the water and waste-water business. He was well known for his backhoe expertise in the industry. Over his career as an operator he worked for Taylor and Streigel, Reynolds Construction, Watson Construction, Diversified Enterprises and Mountaineer Manufacturing, to name just a few. Clinton truly loved what he did for a living and all of the men he had the opportunity to work with, many who became lifelong friends.

With his love of basketball Clinton was a coach for Sissonville Biddy Basketball and girls AAU basketball for 10 years with his daughter, Savanna. During this time, it was some of the happiest of our lives. He considered so many kids who he worked with his own and they shared that love of Clinton and do to this very day.

Clinton was a truly special man who had a heart of gold and affected many lives. He will be so very missed by everyone who knew him.

Clinton is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Lisa Elkins Painter; daughters, Jessica Painter of Huntington and Savanna Painter at home; sisters, Rita Clark of Charleston, Rose Blaylok and husband, Bill, of Pinch, Nettie Norman of Somerset, Ky., and Brenda Fields of Charleston; brothers, Jim and wife, Debbie, of Sissonville, Steve of Charleston and Bob and wife, Phyllis, of Sissonville; brother-in-law, Jeff Elkins of Charlotte, NC; uncle-in-law, Bill Linville of Sissonville; sister-in-law, Barbara Ann Surface Painter; and many nieces and nephews, plus a host of friends.

Clinton was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Ellen Painter; brother, Sonny "Boone" Painter; sister, Connie Painter Dundon; father- and mother-in-law, Chris and Loretta Elkins; and many other family and friends.

We cannot express the excellent level of care he received at Duke, but more importantly the caring of all of his caregivers during his stay at Duke. A special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Mitchell Black, M.D., Dr. Alyssa Stephanie, M.D., and all of the wonderful RNs, NAs and specialists who cared for Clinton on the 3100 block at Duke.

Another thanks to one of Clinton's best buddies, Mike Belcher, who handled all of the responsibilities at our home while we were with Clinton during his illness and allowed us to not worry. Thank you to his loving daughters and sisters, Rita and Rose, who came and helped care for him during his 42 days at Duke University Hospital.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Long and Fisher Funeral Home, Sissonville.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, March 3, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Al Mendez officiating, followed by burial at Floral Hills Garden of Memories.

Condolences may be sent to longfisherfuneralhome.com.