Lewis W. Clayton, of Sandy Lake, passed with his family by his side at 10:35 p.m. Saturday (2-1-14) in Avalon Springs Nursing Center, Coolspring Township, after complications due to Lewy Body Disease, a result of Parkinson’s that he courageously battled until the end. He was 73.
Born Sept. 17, 1940, in Richmond, Va., he was a son of Herbert G. and Mildred V. “Millie” Pizer Clayton.
He attended Lakeview area schools.
Mr. Clayton attended Wayside Community Church, Findley Township.
Lewie was a very talented worker in carpentry and operating machinery. He retired from Shingledecker Welding in 2003. Previously, he worked at Greenville Steel Car, Flexospan, DWL Coal and Adobe Coal.
He loved restoring old Chevy trucks, carpentry work, gardening and hunting. He loved his dog, “Shadow,” but he especially loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
He enjoyed dirt-track racing and building big-block modified motors for Jeremiah Shingledecker’s race car. He loved going to yard sales, auctions and collecting tools and antiques.
Lewie married Becky L. Shingledecker on May 25, 1989; she survives at home.
Also surviving are, a daughter, Stephanie Heckman and her husband Brett, Sandy Lake; two stepdaughters, Maj. Jamie Bing and her husband Antonio, currently serving with the Air Force in England; and Crystal Drew and her husband Kevin, Fredonia; four sons, Lewis W. Clayton Jr., Martinsburg, W.Va.; Richard L. Clayton, Sandy Lake; Steven P. Clayton and his wife Pearl, Polk; and Jeffery A. Clayton and his wife Donna, Franklin; his stepmother, Faye Cummins, Jackson Center; six sisters, Jean Heckman and her husband Fred; Patricia “Patty” Reagle and her husband Larry; Della Conway and her husband Thomas “Tiki”; and Gloria “Joan” Clayton, all Sandy Lake; Kimberly Clayton and her companion Brian Thompson, Greenville; and Debbie Kelly and her husband Kevin, Phoenix, Ariz.; and a brother Jack Clayton, Greenville; 14 grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews, whom he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Ember Clayton; an infant brother, Herbert G. Clayton; a brother, Ed Clayton; and a favorite dog, “Jake.”
Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday (2-4-14) in the SCOTT A. BLACK FUNERAL HOME, 99 Franklin Street, Stoneboro.
The Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday (2-5-14) in Stoneboro United Methodist Church, 32 Lake St., Stoneboro, with the Rev. G. Kenton Shaw, retired minister and family friend, officiating.
Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township.
