LimaWilliam Lewis Clay, 73, died at 4:17 a.m. May 1, 2012, in Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego.He was born June 24, 1938, in Autauga County, Ala., to William B. and Willie Ruth Stoudermire Clay. His father preceded him in death, His mother survives in Lima.Mr. Clay was retired from the Cummins Diesel Engine Manufacturing as a business manager after 30 years. He was a member of The Rock Church of San Diego. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a graduate of Alabama A & M and the College of Wooster.Survivors also include a son, Michael Bowman, of Toledo; a daughter, Teresa (Tyrone) Johnson, of Saginaw, Mich.; a granddaughter, Tiffany Herring; two brothers, Ernie (Roxanne) Clay, of Lima, and Lynn (Sheila) Clay, of Defiance; two sisters, Geraldine Clay-Moore, of Defiance, and Gwendolyn Clay, of Lima; six nieces, Crystal, Mercedes, Carmen, Ashley, Casey and Nisa; seven nephews, Clay, Tory, Tavares, Lynn, Jeremy, William and Corey; three great-nieces; six great-nephews; a special cousin, Jake Parker Jr., of Defiance; his caretakers in California, David and Ida Soliven; and Rebecca, his housekeeper in California.He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerome Clay.
Services will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Cleven Jones will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275.Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Jones-Clark Funeral Home, where the family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m.Condolences may be expressed at JonesClarkFH@aol.com.
