Stuart Dyer had a genuine passion for and an appreciation of beautiful timepieces. He owned a number of clocks and was always on the hunt for unique clocks to add to his collection.

But, Dyer if he were here today would tell you that time is the most valuable thing a person can spend.

Dyer died February 23 at the age of 83 years old after a brief stay at the Hillview Nursing Home.

Dyer’s wife, Norma Jean, said her husband lived a full life. He worked as a driver for Averitt Express, retiring from the Gray company. “He loved to be on the road. It, like his clocks, was his passion as long as he was able to do it. Stuart never lacked for something to do. When he wasn’t working, he was tending his cattle, going to the stock market, to flea markets and auctions. He also enjoyed his church and church friends,” she shared.

He had been collecting clocks for some time, and his collection contained a number of different kinds of clocks. “There had to be something special about them before he would buy them. To him, clocks were a fascination,” said Norma Jean.

In addition to clocks, Dyer enjoyed collecting glassware. “He has all kinds of pieces and in different colors — all over our house. He went to auctions every week. At first, I didn’t go with him, but he bought me a beautiful bowl, and that got me hooked,” Norma Jean shared.

“He appreciated beautiful things and he saw a worth in clocks and glassware far beyond money,” his wife shared.

Another enjoyment of Dyer’s was his cattle, which he started raising in the late ’70s. “Stuart liked taking care of his cattle. He didn’t have a lot, but the few that he did have, he enjoyed. He went to the stock market every Saturday as long as he was able. After he got sick, our son, Terry, took care of the cattle and still does,” said Norma.

In addition to his cattle, Stuart also had a pet donkey and a Yorkie dog, among the living things he enjoyed.

Stuart had a strong faith, which had helped overcome a lot of sicknesses, including cancer and heart surgery. “He loved his church, Zion Baptist. We live within walking distance of the church. We were among the oldest members of the church,” Norma Jean shared.

She described her husband as a “homebody,” who didn’t particularly like traveling. “I enjoyed and did go on some bus trips, but he stayed at home with his cattle and did his thing. In his quiet time, he sat and read his Bible,” Norma Jean shared.

His favorite hymn was “Beulah Land.”

Stuart because of neuropathy in his feet became unable to walk and spent the last three months of his life in the nursing home. “He enjoyed it there. The staff at Hillview was so good to him. And, he also visited many of the residents. Stuart was one of those persons who made the best of each day and situation regardless of where he was,” said his wife, noting they had been married 58 years.

But, like Stuart, there comes a day, when the clock stops at a certain point in everyone’s life.