Cletis Buford "Tinker" Slatter, 89 of Greenville passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2013 in Greenville, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday at Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville, Texas with Dr. F. Bobby Atkins and Rev. Bob Layman officiating. Burial will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park, Greenville. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville.
Born in Alba, Texas on March 26, 1923, he was the son of George Thomas Slatter and Ada Mae Jobe Slatter. On February 12, 1949 in Greenville, he married Lena Marie Duncan who preceded him in death in 2000. Tinker was a member of Highland Terrace Baptist Church, Greenville Masonic Lodge, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, Khiva Shrine and DAV. He was a Master Sergeant in the United States Army serving in the 740th Tank Battalion and landed on Utah Beach just after D-Day, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, visited with Audie Murphy while fighting in Belgium, and earned two purple hearts and numerous campaign and conduct medals.
His survivors include his son Tom Slatter and wife Vicki of Katy; sister Bonnie Woodell of Llano; 5 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Joyce Vaughn; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Lou Satterwhite.
In addition to his wife, he was also preceded in death by his parents, daughter Janet Scoggins in 1998, sister Murl Tiffin, and brothers Connie Vaughn and Otis (Don) Slatter.
Pallbearers will be Floyd Tiffin (nephew), Rick Tiffin (nephew), Richard Tiffin (great-nephew), Mike Vaughn (nephew), David Vaughn (nephew), and Amos Lowry. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Highland Terrace Sunday School Class and a special friend, Dr. James E. Nicholson.
