William "Bill" George Clayton

     William George “Bill” Clayton, age 92 of Harrisburg passed away at 9:15 PM, November 9, 2024 at his residence.

     Bill was born on October 7, 1932 at home in Harrisburg to the late Earl R. and Mildred Lucille (Saylor) Clayton. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized into the membership at Ledford Batist Church when he was fifteen years old. Bill served the Lord faithfully from that day forward. He graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in May of 1950 and then Bill enlisted in the National Guard. He was studying to become an attorney at Southern Illinois University when the Illinois National Guard 44th Infantry Division was called into active duty. Bill served his country in the United States Army at the time of the Korean War. On July 10, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, LaVern Simmons when they eloped to Corinth, Mississippi while Bill was on furlow from the Army. Upon his honorable discharge from the United States Army, Bill and LaVern returned to Harrisburg where he was an active member of Dorrisville Baptist Church. Bill served as a Sunday School teacher and trustee at Dorrisville Baptist Church and he was active in the church basketball league during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Bill was also formerly a member of the Harrisburg Rotary Club, Saline County Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association, charter member of the Harrisburg Hunters Club, the Harrisburg American Legion, and the Archery Club in Stonefort. His love of the outdoors was second only to his love for LaVern and his family.  Bill was a generous man, who loved deeply and was deeply loved.

     In addition to his wife LaVern Clayton, Bill is survived by two children, son, Danny L. Clayton and wife Elaine of Harrisburg, Illinois; daughter, Denise L. Clayton of Harrisburg, Illinois; two grandchildren, Rachyl Rister and husband Matt of Harrisburg, Illinois; Roth Clayton and wife Annie of Harrisburg, Illinois; six great grandchildren, Isabel Rister, Gunnar Rister, Madilyn Rister, Meyer Clayton, Maisie Clayton, and Maclan William Clayton; several nieces and nephews; and special family friend, Marsha Bockmann of Harrisburg, Illinois.

     In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a baby boy, and one brother, Earl Gene Clayton.

     Funeral service for William George “Bill” Clayton will be held at 11 AM, Monday, November 18, 2024 at Dorrisville Baptist Church in Harrisburg. Rev. Dewayne Taylor and Rev. Brent Holloway will officiate and burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Army. Visitation will be held from 4 PM to 7 PM, Sunday, November 17, 2024 and 10 AM to 11 AM, Monday, November 18, 2024 at Dorrisville Baptist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dorrisville Baptist Church All-Star Basketball because of his involvement with coaching youth basketball, and envelopes will be available at the church. 

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