Walter Leonard Claytor

Born on March 30, 1971, in Columbus, Georgia, Walter was raised in Fairfax, Virginia, where the foundations of his character, discipline, and faith were formed. As an adult, he made his home in Alexandria, Virginia, and later Aldie, Virginia, continuing to build a life marked by excellence, creativity, and service to others.

Walter was a proud graduate of Fairfax High School and continued his education at Northern Virginia Community College and Averett College. He dedicated several decades of his life as a procurement specialist, most notably serving as a Supervising Senior Buyer at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he supported multimillion-dollar contracts and was widely respected for his voice, integrity, leadership, and commitment to excellence.

A faithful believer, Walter was a devoted and active member of Greater Little Zion Baptist Church, where he served with joy and humility as Director of the Men’s Choir. His love for music and worship was evident in his leadership, encouragement of others, and unwavering commitment to praising God through song. His faith was not only spoken, but lived, guiding how he loved, served, and showed up for his family and community.

Walter was an exceptional athlete, excelling in football, basketball, track and field, and golf, displaying discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong love of competition. He was also an outstanding artist, renowned for his powerful graphite portraits, which captured both technical precision and emotional depth.

Walter had a deep appreciation for fashion and proudly embodied the ideals of Black dandyism, an aesthetic steeped in culture, creativity, and pride. Its hallmarks include impeccable, meticulous, stylish dress as a powerful tool for resistance, self-expression, and protest against racial stereotypes. By embracing the pivotal role Black culture plays in shaping global fashion, Walter celebrated dignity, freedom, and autonomy from one brilliantly curated look to the next throughout his life.

In recent years, Walter found profound joy in horseback riding, a passion that reflected his love of freedom, connection to history, and belief in reclaiming spaces where Black people have long belonged.

Above all, Walter will be remembered as a devoted son, husband, father, brother, grandson, uncle and friend. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving parents, Rodney and Dolores Claytor; his beloved wife, Andrea Claytor; his son, Tyler Luksic; his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Waters; and his siblings, Rhonda Payne (Anwar), Stacey Claytor-Howard (Marcus), and Kelvin Claytor (Graciela); Parents In-Law Kenneth and Charlotte Luksic; Sisters In-Law, Cindy Kling (Reagan) and Kelly Jester (John); 8 Nieces, 1 Great Niece and 1 Great Nephew. He also leaves a wide circle of extended family, friends, church family, and colleagues whose lives were enriched by his presence.

The Claytor family will celebrate Walter's life by receiving family, friends, and loved ones. First, a Visitation will be held on Friday, January 9, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Demaine Life Celebration Center of Loudoun County. Second, a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 10, at 4:00 p.m. at Greater Little Zion Baptist Church. Third, a Reception for continued fellowship, music, and repast will be held after the service on Saturday, January 10, 6:30pm to 9:30pm at Mackenzie’s Tunes & Tonics in the City of Fairfax where Walter grew up.

Walter Leonard Claytor lived with purpose, faith, creativity, and grace. Though he has laid down his earthly work, we rejoice in the assurance that he rests in God’s eternal care, and that his legacy will continue to sing, create, inspire, and ride on through all who loved him.

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The Walter Leonard Claytor Memorial Page at https://everloved.com/life-of/walter-claytor/ is the best way to share memories, view full service details, receive updates, and share condolences. The Claytor family asks that you honor Walter’s life by using that website to make a donation in lieu of flowers to Strides for Equality Equestrians, a Virginia-based organization that reflects his deep love of horseback riding and his belief in restoring access, opportunity, and joy in equestrian life for Black and Indigenous people, and other people of color who are traditionally (though not originally) excluded from equestrian life in America.