Clinton E. Barger, 49, of Higgins Road in Hilliards, Washington Township, died at 5:33 p.m. Tuesday shortly after arrival in the emergency room of the Butler Memorial Hospital following an illness.

Born in Grove City, Dec. 14, 1957, he was the son of W. Clifford and Maxine Karnes Wray.

He was a 1976 graduate of Moniteau High School and was a self-employed contractor.

Mr. Barger was a Presbyterian.

He was an Army veteran, attained the rank of Special E4 and served during the time of the invasion of Grenada.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed camping

Surviving are his father and stepmother, W. Clifford and Jean Barger of Eau Claire; his mother, Maxine Karnes Wray of Emlenton; his longtime companion, Joan Jewart; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Loren Barger, and his stepfather, William "Bill" Wray.

<B>BARGER </B>— Friends of Clinton E. Barger, who died Tuesday, March 20, 2007, will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>Hile Funeral Home Inc.</B>, 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. David Bright, pastor of the Scrubgrass Stone Church of Emlenton, officiating. Burial with military honors will be at the Emlenton Cemetery.