Walter "Wally" E. Clayton

With hearts broken in great sadness, the family of Walter E. Clayton (94) of New Brighton, PA, formally of Beaver, PA, have announced Wally's passing on June 2, 2023,

Wally was born in Alliance, Ohio on October 18, 1928, to the late Harry and Agnes (Faulds) Clayton. He will always be remembered for his many happy years between his birth and his death.

"Till death us did part." He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 40 1/2 years, Eleanor, (his care giver in recent years to the very end until the comforting arms of Jesus carried him to Heaven) his children: Dian (Jim) Lagud, Center Twp., Harry (Skip) (Lisa) Clayton, Coraopolis, Paul (Sharon) Clayton, Wilmerding, and step-son, David (Wendy) Watson, Pittsburgh. Also surviving are grandchildren; David Shane Clayton, Cheryl (Josh) Harris, Daniel Clayton, Stephen Lagud; eight great-grandchildren; Grace, Elijah, Lydia, Peter, Josiah, Gabriel Clayton, Toby & Gabe Harris; six step-grandchildren, and nine step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sisters: Ruth Newell, June McKelvey, Dorothy Neal Peretic and brothers, Harry and Melvin Clayton. He leaves behind sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Doris and Lon Hogue, many special nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbors.

Wally was a proud 1946 graduate of Rochester High School. He was active in planning their reunions, of which the last one was in 2018 when they celebrated 72 years. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Air Force at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi, and was discharged as a Sgt. After returning home to Beaver County, he worked 26 years as a mail carrier in Beaver, PA.

Wally was best known to everyone as "Tacky the Clown ". He participated across the tristate area in many festivals, parades, local town functions, and private parties making many types of balloon animals. He also enjoyed his many years as "Santa Claus", the "Easter Bunny" and "Uncle Sam". Wally loved to volunteer (until his health held him back when he was 88) with RSVP and was named "Volunteer of the Year" in 2010. He was an active member and past president of the Beaver County Club of Retired Persons, serving as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee. He was Music Director and Program Chairman of the "Men of Melody". His love of volunteering started with the American Cancer Society in Rochester where he developed and coordinated the "Road to Recovery" program for transporting cancer patients and the "Nurse of Hope" program in 1971. He volunteered for many years with the Alliance for Consumer Protection in Beaver, was a past member and King Lion for the New Brighton Lions Club and was involved in many functions at the Lighthouse for the Blind. He was a line Chairman for Hands Across America. He was an active member of the New Brighton First Church of God where he served as an usher, choir member and loved to present special music on many occasions. Wally's smiling face, sense of humor, and love of life (even after being house bound) will be missed by all who knew him.

Friends will be received Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave, New Brighton from 2 p.m. until time of service at 7 p.m. which will be celebrated by his brother-in-law: Pastor Lon Hogue of the N.B. First Church of God.

VVA Chapter #862 will provide military honors for Walter at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

In place of flowers, if desired, please donate to the N.B. First Church of God Roof Fund, 605 — 9th. Street, New Brighton, PA 15066

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter "Wally" E. Clayton, please visit our floral store.