Clarence Willie “Buster” Legler

Clarence Willie “Buster” Legler, 79, of San Antonio, formerly of La Grange died peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014.

Clarence was born in La Grange on Dec. 31, 1934, the son of Otto and Clara (Brunner) Legler. Clarence was a creative individual. In high school in La Grange he demonstrated his interest in magic and played the piano in a dance band group

“The Harmoniers”. After obtaining his BA in Fine Arts from UT-Austin, he served in the U.S. Army. Five years later he headed to Dallas to begin his career as a graphic artist. From Dallas, he continued his graphic design career in New York where he also designed sets for plays off Broadway and did some minor acting. Thereafter, he settled in Germantown, Pa. for some 40 years. He continued his interest in magic and loved to entertain  people (especially the children of the church) with puppets and magical tricks. He had the opportunity to use his studies of  music at UT-Austin and also in Philadelphia as organist and choir director of German Town Methodist Church in Philadelphia. He recently retired to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. where he planned to lay back and enjoy retirement. However, he became ill after only 10 days. His family kidnapped him in June in a Class A RV “The Magic Bus” and moved him to San Antonio. He is survived by his brother, J.D. Legler and wife, Viola, and sister-in-law Verlene Engbrook Legler of La Grange; four nieces: Dr. Helen Cronenberger  of San Antonio; Janet Luft of Dripping Springs; Virginia Ann Higdon of College Station; and Jill Hood of Houston; five nephews: Richard Legler, Kenneth Legler, and Robert Legler, all of Houston; Dr. James Daniel Legler of San Antonio; and Paul Cronenberger of Kingsville; and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gladys Cronenberger; brother, Lee Otto “Possum” Legler; brother, Edmund Willis Legler; and nephew, Mark Allen Legler.

A Rosary will be celebrated at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Mass  at 11 a.m. of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 539 E. Pearl St. in La Grange, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. Burial will follow at La Grange City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.  Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangments.