Wayne Dale Clay

Wayne Dale Clay, age 75, of Crossett, Ark. went to be with the Lord Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at his residence. Mr. Clay was born on July 6, 1935 in Joy, Ark. to Ervin and Opal Holden Clay, who preceded him in death. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force; he was stationed in England and in North Africa, serving as a military policeman. Wayne was a beloved member of the Crossett community where he coached T-ball and Little League baseball. He also worked as a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of Crossett, and as a volunteer cameraman for the Ashley County Sheltered Workshop, recording their events for the telethon which was broadcast on local cable TV. He enjoyed wood working, making every child a cradle for rocking grandchildren and a toy box for every grandchild. Mr. Clay was an expert chef and spent many long hours barbequing briskets for fundraisers which he organized for the Crossett and Hamburg Food Banks. Wayne and Pam were the frontrunners who prepared holiday meals for the elderly; this later became the local CYF project, which feeds over 200 local people at Thanksgiving year. He was the owner of the local Montgomery Wards' franchise, and he retired from the Reliable Insurance Company in 1990 due to illness. Wayne is survived by his wife of 37 years, Pamela Endsley Clay; six children, Leroy Clay (Cindy), Douglas Clay, Ted Clay (Patti), Jeannie Carter (Carl), Pamela Smith (Scott), Nicholas Clay (Sarah); two brothers, Leon Clay (Shirley) of Joy, Ark., James Clay (Virginia) of Canton, Ohio; one sister, Barbara Hill (Don) of Jacksonville, Ark.; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. A Rosary Service will be held at 8:15 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2011 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 6, 2011 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church. The funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Crossroads Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett, Ark.. (www.jonesservice.com). Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2400 Main Street, Crossett, Ark. 71635.