Billy Guinn Clay

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Abilene under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home. Son-in-law Tommy Shields will preside. The family will receive friends at a visitation 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 13, 2010, at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Brandon Shields, Cody Walton, Casey Walton, and Wyatt Walton, and grandson-in-law, Paul Terrell.

Billy was born August 25, 1926 in Breckenridge, Texas to James Dee and Mary Clay. After his father’s death, the family moved to Ft. Worth where Billy graduated from Paschal High School. Following graduation, Billy joined the U.S. Navy and served during WWII at Norfolk Naval Base as a firefighting instructor. After the war, Billy went to work for the Ft. Worth Post Office, delivering mail by train from Ft. Worth to Abilene. He met and married Earlene Eustace, March 21, 1959. They made their home in Abilene, Texas where he worked at the downtown post office as a postal supervisor. He retired due to illness in 1977. Billy was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and was a member of the Gold Band Class. Billy was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Abilene, where he was often the top pancake ticket seller. He received the George F. Hixson Fellow in 1998. Billy also enjoyed his time as a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer.

All that knew him loved Billy dearly. Even though he battled many health issues, he never lost his positive attitude and great sense of humor. He was a compassionate, kind man that never forgot to send his sweetheart, Earlene, a dozen roses on each anniversary. Billy was Grandpa Billy to his much loved grandchildren. He was the laughter around the dinner table. Billy was a good listener and never forgot a name. He was an avid sports fan. Billy loved watching the Texas Rangers and was so excited when they made it to the World Series this year. He loved to fly fish and spent many summer vacations in Creede, Colorado catching his limit. Billy possessed a true servant’s heart in every sense of the word. He will be greatly missed.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; aunt, Jewel Williams; siblings, James Lomax Clay, Myrtle Evelyn Shipp, Mary Tom Palk, and Bobby Dee Clay; nephews, David Shipp, Billy Bob Shipp, and Tommy Clay; and daughter-in-law, Brenda Walton.

Billy is survived by son, Jeff and wife, Judy, of Clovis, CA; daughter, Susan Clay of Fresno, CA; son, Kim Walton of Clyde; daughter, Karen Clay Shields and husband, Tommy, of Sherman; grandchildren, Brandon Shields of Sherman, Meredith Shields Terrell and husband, Paul, of Dallas, Cody Walton and wife, Sunny, of Abilene, Casey Walton and wife, Lindsey, of Honey Grove, Wyatt Walton of Clyde, Jason Esses, Maureen Esses, Samantha Clay and Jeffrey D. Clay, II, all of Fresno, CA; great-granddaughter, Dallie Jane Walton of Abilene; nephews, Ricky Clay of Hurst, Ronald Shipp of VA, Bobby Dee Clay and Earl Clay of Bryan; nieces, Sally Gensler of Dallas, Patty Clay Wager, and Peggy Clay Ramirez of Bryan, Cindy Palk Robbins and Mary Clay Palk of Alabama; along with many great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Meals-on-Wheels, P.O. Box 903, Abilene, Texas 79604 or the donor's charity of choice.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliott-hamil.com.