William L Clayton

and will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

He was born in Meridian, Mississippi to John Benjamin Clayton and Frances Marion Brown

Clayton. Bill lived and grew up in various states of the U. S., including Alaska. His parents were

Civil Service workers and transferred often. Bill has five siblings; two brothers, Ben and Jim

and three sisters, Ann, Carla and Frances. He also has many nieces and nephews, as well as

great-nieces and great-nephews that he had great affection for. Bill shared many life

experiences with his family.

Bill had a number of interests and was curious about the world around him. He was a life-long

learner. He showed an interest, at an early age, in other cultures. He and his brother Ben joined

their Dad on a business trip to New Mexico, while in grade school, and he became enamoured

with Native American culture. He went so far as to cut up a leather jacket of his mother’s to

make moccasins. His mother was not pleased. Bill was a Boy Scout and enjoyed the activities

associated with scouting.

During high school his family hosted foreign exchange students from Japan. Once again, Bill

was drawn to their culture and began to study the Japanese language and customs. Bill joined

the Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. He enjoyed school and made that critical transition

from adolescence to adulthood. He graduated from high school, on the Army base, in

Okinawa, Japan, in 1970.

Bill attended the University of Mississippi, balancing academics, responsibilities and the

sudden freedom that college affords young people. He was accepted into medical school upon

graduating. He went on to become a doctor of internal medicine, neurology, and psychiatry.

He practiced as an Army doctor. Bill achieved the rank of Colonel. He received two Meritorious

Service Medals, two Army Accommodation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces

Medal and Reserves Medal. Through his dedication and strong work ethic he made a career.

During his lifetime, career, and travels, Bill formed strong bonds with friends. He enjoyed

friendships from around the world. The friendship of Rachel and Jillian Sowray were a blessing

and Bill loved being the Godfather to their girls.

Bill enjoyed his leisure time. Traveling the world, weaving baskets, making quilts, horseback

riding and maintaining the farm were his pastimes. But even in leisure time Bill was learning. He

continued to take a Chinese class and teach an English class to his Chinese teacher. Bill was

fluent in 5 languages: German, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Spanish.

Bill retired in 2000, but he continued to travel and visit his family and friends. He enjoyed the

extra time retirement afforded him to pursue his passions.

Bill was beloved and will always be remembered as a good, kind, loving and caring individual.

He was generous and a vital part of the lives of his family and friends. His legacy will live on in

the hearts of those that cherish his memory and the memories he made with them.

Bill passed away on January 29, 2022, at home, in Winlock, Washington. Services will be held

at Sticklin Funeral Chapel, 1437 S. Gold St., Centralia, WA, 98531, on February 18, 2022, at

11:00 a.m.