Clay Edward Elliott

Clay Edward Elliott, 62, of Martinsburg, WV, went to be with the Lord peacefully in his home surrounded by his children and loving family on August 13, 2022. Born on January 16, 1960, Clay was the youngest of six children of whom he is preceded in death by his brothers Gideon Elliott, Douglas Elliott and mother and father, Robert Sr. and Iretta Elliott. Surviving of his siblings are Robert “Bob” Elliott, Debbie Smith and Renee Silver. Clay’s most precious gifts – his four children and grandchildren – are in debt to the lessons learned from their father and the sweet memories he left behind. His children include Jeremy Stickles and wife Amanda, Jennifer Cave and husband Luther Timmons, Brandon Elliott, Airaka Riner and husband Jake. His grandchildren include Blaine and Hadly Elliott, Wyatt Riner, Shyanne Stickles, Jacob and McKenzie Phebus. The four children would like to thank their mother, Natalie Stickles, for her unwavering love and dedication to assisting in caring for Clay in his final months on earth.

Clay lived a legacy that spoke to many of his hard work ethics, moral character and that he was a true gentleman. He was employed with D.L Morgan Excavating and then by his brother, Bob, as a highly skilled mason – a trait he learned well from his father. Bob and Clay also farmed many years together at the home farm in Martinsburg, where upon his final request was to be brought home after his battle with cancer. Clay was also employed with S&D Construction with Donald Poole and later acquired his final employment with the Department of Interior National Park Service out of Antietam Battlefield in Sharpsburg, MD. Clay retired from the NPS on July 31, 2022.

In his younger years, Clay was a member of the Boy Scouts and received one of the highest honors as an Eagle Scout. He was also a volunteer for many years with the Bedington Fire Department and enjoyed riding bulls with friends who greeted him in heaven in his departure Home, “Punky” and Pete Tobin. Clay also lovingly supported his children in any venture they undertook – between FFA and 4-H, Clay assisted his children in raising their livestock and teaching them many of life’s lessons through this very adventure. He helped Jennifer raise her goats and pigs, Jeremy with his pigs and rabbits, Brandon with his steers and Airaka with her pigs and horses. Clay also supported his grandchildren Jacob, McKenzie and Shyanne with their 4-H projects. Clay’s skills of masonry work became a part of his volunteer efforts at the Berkeley County Youth Fair and Hedgesville Little League Baseball Field.

There was never another soul who loved the outdoors like Clay did. A 45-year member of the Titus Run Hunting Club in Romney, West Virginia. Clay enjoyed hunting Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkeys and trout fishing with his beloved friends and family Francis Morgan, D.L. Morgan, Jacob Morgan, Rick Spielman, Jim Garmin, Chetty Spielman, his brother Gideon, Jamie Roseman, Rick Swartz, Chris Spielman, Ryan Spielman, his sons Brandon and Jeremy. Clay was well known for walking the ridges of Romney with Jerry Staggs and stacking wood with Walter Kyle and Bill Parker. His life was always about being in the mountains to hunt. He also shared his love of hunting with his son-in-law Jake Riner and his father Tom Riner. Clay had many hunting adventures that also included hunting in Athens, Ohio on Kelly Abfall’s farm and in recent years hunting with Casey Milburn at Whiskey River Whitetails in Kentucky. One of his favorite trout fishing expeditions was packing up for the day and heading to Double Spur Outfitters in Star Tannery, Virginia. Clay would build a fire for his grandsons, Blaine and Wyatt, to keep them warm while they enjoyed the love of the outdoors like their Pappy. Clay also enjoyed his evenings at the horse barn where he shared his love of horses with his daughter, Airaka, and their many trips to horse shows, trail rides and barrel races. Clay also loved many evenings at the barn talking with friends Dave Cutlip, Jimmy Dawson and Mike Kilmer about their mule rides while drinking Busch Light and eating hot peanuts. Clay loved special visits from his daughter-in-law, Amanda, as they drank “snifters” which included Kentucky Gentleman and Ginger Ale.

The family would like to invite all who knew and loved Clay to attend his Celebration of Life at Bedington United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. A special invitation is extended to the wonderful team of nurses from Hospice of the Panhandle, 6th Floor Oncology nursing staff and Intensive Care Unit nurses at Berkeley Medical Center who assisted in the care of Clay and provided comfort to his family during this incredibly difficult time. A special acknowledgment also goes to the nurses and staff at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, who were a part of Clay’s journey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made on his behalf to Hospice of the Panhandle, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) or the American Cancer Society.