Obituary of William James Clay, of Richland Parish Louisiana
as published on the Brown Holley Funeral Homes website June 11, 2007
Submitted by for the USGenWeb Archives by Dot Golliher, 07/19/2007



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 William James Clay 

William James Clay, 80, of Rayville, Louisiana passed away on June 8, 2007 at 
Richardson Memorial Medical Center in Rayville, Louisiana after a lengthy illness. 
He was born September 28, 1926 in Braden, Oklahoma. William was the son of Henry 
Grady and Mattie Mae Stamps Clay. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Myrtle Kannady, Dorris Smith, 
and Pauline Clay, one brother, Frank Clay. 

He is survived by two brothers, Henry Clay and Paul Clay; three children, Billy 
James Clay and wife, Tammy of Rayville, Louisiana, Janice Bryant Riser and husband, 
Jim of Meridian, Mississippi, Edward Lee (Mudd) Bryant and wife, Kay of Rayville, 
Louisiana; seven grandchildren, Kristi Clay, Will Clay, Tammy Higdon, Tracy Clack, 
David Bryant, Sherry Riser, and Clayton Riser; seven great grandchildren, 
four nieces, one nephew, and numerous friends. 

Mr. Clay participated in the occupation of Germany during WWII as a member of 
the United States Army. He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars after being 
honorably discharged and served many years as Sergeant at Arms. 

He was a valued employee of Trunkline Gas Company for thirty years. After his 
retirement, his love of the land led him to a full time career as a successful 
farmer and rancher in Richland Parish. The sport of hunting continued his 
relationship with the land. 

Services were held at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Monday, June 11, 2007 
at 2pm, with Rev. Harold Spillers and Rev. Jay Jones officiating. Interment 
followed the services at McKnight Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Holley 
Funeral Home, Rayville, Louisiana. 

Pallbearers were Duke Jones, Bibb Franklin, Randy Swain, Ben McHenry, Sonny 
Mills, and David Thomason. 

Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Hoychick, Dr. David Thompson, Carl Goodman, 
and the members of Veteran of Foreign Wars post 1809