Wilmer Clayton

Funeral services For Wilmer W. Bill Clayton, husband of Ella Marie Clayton, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Brother Jarel Brown will officiate. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. The family will receive family and friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Wilmer W. Clayton passed away March 6, 2011 in Madisonville. He was born December 4, 1919 in Bedias to George L. and Lola Snow Clayton. On October 19, 1930, he was baptized in the Bedias Baptist Church in Bedias by Rev. Philip Brown. On April 27, he was married to Ella Marie Durden of Brenham in Hempstead by Rev. Roye L. Blockman Mr. Clayton served his country for 22 years and 22 days, enlisting in the U. S. Army on July 9, 1940 in San Antonio. On July 22, 1941, he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force. He served his country during World War II on the B-25, and participated in the Berlin Air Life in Germany. He also served in the Mutual Defense Assistance Pact. After retiring from the Air Force on July 31, 1962, he worked for Texas Department of Corrections for 16 years at the Ellis Unit. Survivors include his wife, Ella Marie Clayton of Bedias; daughter Shirley Jean Clayton of Tomball; sisters-in-law Helen Clayton and Dorothy Schwettmann; nieces and nephews Cathy Clayton Brewster of Reno, NV, Jane Troxell of Pasadena, Ann Clayton of Farmers Branch, Frances Applewhite of Brenham, Lowell Clayton of Austin, John Clayton of Houston, Clayton Peters of Austin, Michael Peters of Round Rock, and Owen Craig McDonald of Bedias. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Leslie and Lola Snow Clayton; brothers George Lowell Clayton, and Leslie Clayton; sisters Mary McDonald, Ruth Hill and Edith Peters and a sister-in-law, Kathryn Clayton. Serving as pallbearers are Craig McDonald, Michael Peters, Clayton Peters, Hugh Gibbs, P. L. "Nicky" Thomas, and Earl Druckhammer. Bill Bacon, Frank Munn, Clarence Ruckdashel, Joe Williamson, Bobby Isbell, Phillip Ray Upchurch, and Bobby Gunther will be honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be directed to Bedias Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. 979836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.