John “Bill” W. Clayton, Jr., 87, of Mechums River passed away at his residence on Saturday, November 8, 2014. He was born on April 9, 1927, to the late John W. Clayton, Sr. and Martha Hopkins Clayton. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 53 years, Annie Daniel Clayton.
He is survived by his wife Peggy Johnson Clayton; two sons, Michael F. Clayton and his wife Sharon of Hollywood, Maryland and Jeffrey Clayton of Mechums River; a step-daughter, Patricia J. Clark and husband Buck, of Crozet, Virginia; grandchildren, Amy Hill and husband Cary, Katherine Colquitt and husband Cam, Christa, Mary, Ryan, and Chad Soulia, Anthony and Nicholas Maria, Virginia and Lora Clark, and great-grandsons Gabe and Zeke Hill.
John “Bill” was a partner with his father in establishing John W. Clayton and Son in 1940, serving farmers with lime and fertilizer. Later mulch, top soil and gravel were added. Bill Clayton was a well-known farmer raising beef cattle and crops. Bill was a Navy “Sea Bee” Veteran of WWII.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Plain Building Fund, 4297 Old Three Notch’d Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901, Crozet Baptist Church, 5804 St George Avenue, Crozet, VA 22932 or Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
A funeral service was held November 11 at the Crozet Baptist Church with Dr. Sam Kellum officiating. Anderson Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
