Nelson's Memorial Mortuary | Warner Robins, GA

Obituary For Walter Edward Clay

Walter Edward Clay was born to the late Walter Lee and Dorothy Mae Clay on September 21, 1947 in Huntsville, Alabama. He departed this life on Monday, January 4, 2021. He dedicated his life to the Lord at an early age. In addition to his service to the community, Walter was a faithful member of Lion of Judah Bible Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday school leader and Chairman of the Deacon Board. He also functioned as choir director at both Fellowship Bible Baptist Church and Springfield Missionary Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia. During his formative years, Walter worked at Big Brothers Grocery Store and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition, he was given the 6 A.M. task of picking pecans in the yard with his younger brothers and sisters. Walter graduated from Council High School in Huntsville at the tender age of 17 years old. He participated in many extracurricular activities, including basketball, baseball, and football, but he particularly excelled in the band where he played trumpet. He received full music scholarships to play for Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Alabama State University (ASU). He initially elected to attend FAMU but later transferred to ASU, where he met his college sweetheart, Viola Mitchell. At Alabama State, Walter joined the band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, and performed with the Marching Hornets until he was drafted into the Army branch of the U.S. military to serve in the Vietnam War. He married Viola on May 16, 1969, shortly before leaving for Vietnam. To this union was born two daughters, Akida and Ayisha. After his tour of duty in Vietnam, Walter and Viola decided to make Georgia their home. Early in their marriage, Walter sold insurance for Prudential. In 1978, he also made history for being the first black in Warner Robins, Georgia, to seriously run for City Council, and he came within just a few votes of declaring a victory. In 1982, Walter received a Bachelor’s degree in business from Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. He then pursued a Master’s degree from Alabama A&M University. He retired from Robins Air Force Base in 2008, where he worked for several years as a Quality Assurance Specialist in the Avionics division. In his free time, Walter enjoyed spending time with God, his family, and friends, exercising, traveling, listening to music, and refereeing various sports. Walter received a plethora of honors and awards, including Cambridge Who's Who Award, Macon Technical College Appointment, a Robins Rev-Up featured article, VIP of the Year Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, to name a few. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lee and Dorothy Mae Clay, a brother, Jerome Clay, and a sister, Mary Fletcher. Walter Edward leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife, Dr. Viola Mitchell Clay of Warner Robins, GA; two loving daughters, Akida (Cedric) Shephard of Fayetteville, GA and Ayisha Clay of Warner Robins, GA; three adoring grandchildren, Joshua Rommell, Zion Walter, and Anyaa Violette Shephard of Fayetteville, GA; three sisters, Greta (Alvin) Clay Landrum, Karen (Rodney) Clay Calhoun, and Pamela (James) Blankenship Hope; three brothers, Carl (May) Clay, Ashford Clay, and Maurice (Cheryl) Clay, sister-in-law, Rosa Kelley Clay, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Guest Book

Mrs Clay, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Love you Carol

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Rest peacefully Unk. At a loss of words

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Hi daddy. It's me.... Ayisha. I just wanted to let you know that I love you and miss you so much. You were my best friend and the best dad that anyone could ever hope for. I'm going to miss your smile and the deep conversations we had. You taught me so much and were so smart! You were absolutely the best daddy in the whole world and I will forever miss you. Love, your daughter, Ayisha T. Clay.

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I will really miss the conversations we had when he would come to Huntsville. A true man of God. RIH Walter Cousin Stephanie McCrary

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I will truly miss your kindness and love for all of God's children. Thanks for being the brother that you were. You showed me the meaning of God's love and that i will never forget thanks for being the brother that you were!!! Love for you will be in my heart forever!!! I will carry you wherever in my heart whereverver i go and whatever i do forevermore!!!!! Brother Ashford🌹

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My Dear Uncle Walter, your gentle presence is greatly missed here on earth. I have so many fond memories of you. One of the latest memories is of you coming to Huntsville and I shared with you that I had began to homeschool my Kennedi. We briefly spoke about it then. I was surprised a week or so later to find a letter expressing that you were proud of me and encouraging me not to give up. You also enclosed a check for school supplies. Most of my memories are of you sharing your love, your endless support and imparting wisdom to us. I love you and I will cherish these memories forever.

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The memories held from Dear Ole Councill will always be there no matter how many years go by. One of your pictures of the good old days tells the stories of the extra-curricula activities you exceeded in at Councill. That day at one of our friend's funeral, you looked back smiling, and called my name it brought it all back. I was happy to know that you stepped up to take on the task of developing a list of the band members to place on the Councill High School Memorial Park located in Huntsville, AL. It was one of the final duties you left for our school. My deepest condolences to your wife and family. I am sure you will be missed. Rest in Peace old friend. Catherine Madry-Stewart

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Sorry for your loss. May God continue to bless and comfort your heart ♥️. Rest In Peace my dear brother. Sarah Brown Huntsville Al

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Walt Edward I thank you for reaching out to me before you left us. You were always the example of what a brother should be. You were strong but gentle, hard but soft, there when I needed you and the list goes on and on. Sometimes your words would hurt but you never backed down. You gave them to each of your siblings just the way it should be. Even when my later five children were adopted you always had advice for them. Walt Edward, I miss you but at the same time I'm glad you got your wings. This is what you were on the earth for, to be closer to Jesus. I know he told you "well done my good and faithfulness servant, you've been faithful over a few things, I'll make you ruler over many".

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You were a tremendous role model and always gave great advice every time I saw you. Rest In Peace, Pops Clay.

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Walter. I will always remember your soft voice & gentle spirit. Glad to have been in your presence to hear you share your wisdom, especially to your family. Thank you for being such a inspiration to us all. May your Memories always be a Blessing.🙏🏾🙏🏾 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊❤❤Yvette Shephard

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Walter Edward Clay, I met you when you were only 17 after you transferred from FAMU to ASU. You, Johnny Potter, and Tennessee were running in the Tulibody Auditorium to where I was sitting alone on a row of seats and the three of you ran towards my row and you were jumping seats and rows trying to reach me first. You won and sat beside me and your two friends sat next to you. You made conversation. I asked the three to find another row because my row was not for Freshmen, but you stayed, and after the concert, you walked me to the dorm. I tried to get rid of you then, because you were a "Crab", (freshman). But you pursued, so we dated for three years until I graduated. One year after my graduation we were married and promised to love each other "Until the light of my world goes out". When the light of your world stopped shining February 4, it left me in a stage of "stillness" It seemed that my whole world stopped turning. But God, His Son Jesus, gave me His light and His strength to endure. Each day I am strengthened by Jesus's love and presence, and my family, and friends. I loved you then and now until "the light of my world goes out".

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Walter, we are very sorry to hear of your passing! You were a great friend and an awesome leader at work in Avionics and Quality Assurance. You will be greatly missed! Your friends at Robins Air Force Base

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Grandaddy, you loved God and followed in His footsteps. I will never forget the fun times we had, like when you took us to the park, the movies, and to Robins Air Force Base Museum to see the airplanes✈. You will never leave my heart. Ever. I will always ♥ you! From your favorite granddaughter, Anyaa Violette Shephard

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Gone but not forgotten. Will always miss that calm peaceful smile.

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We will miss you and that smile of peace that was always on your face, gone but not forgotten.

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No words can express the emotions I have for the departure of my Uncle Walter. You will be forever missed. No matter how upset I came to you with my small life's problems...you always had a way to turn everything into something positive. Thank you for all your advice and being an amazing listener. Loving you Always Uncle Walter.....Tabitha Clay

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Deacon Walter E. Clay was truly a man of honor who truly love his family and friends. He will truly be missed but never forgotten! Truly believe he got his wings to heaven. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

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Walter was a longtime friend of mine and a dear friend to my family. I'm so glad we stayed in touch over the years. We are so sorry to hear about his passing! May God grant his wife, Viola, his children, Akida and Ayisha, and his grandchildren, son-in-law, brothers, sisters, family, and friends peace during this difficult time. Walt, you will be greatly missed! The Johnson Family

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To My Father-In-Law Walter Clay, I called him Pops Clay because he was a Father figure to me, he was a God Fearing Man that loved the Lords word and Loved his Family 😊 He didn't speak much but when he did it was always powerful words of Wisdom🙏🏽 I am truly grateful to have you in my life the last 14 years and the gems 💎 you shared with me about Life. The first time we met, he told me he would be a Father Figure in my Life because he knew my biological Father abandoned me at 10 years old and Pops Clay always kept his word!🙏🏽 Pops Clay now you have my word that I will always protect your daughters Akida & Ayisha, your grandchildren, and most importantly your wife, my Mother-in-law Mama Viola Clay.❤️ I will miss our talks of you sharing Gods word, politics, and the Wisdom of Life. I Love you Pops Clay forever! Keep looking over us and tell God we thank him for you😢🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Love, Cedric Charles Shephard, Jr.

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You will be missed uncle Walter! So mild and sweet. I can't recall a time when I've seen you angry. Thank you for opening your home to us and making sure we knew that you were there if we needed. We are all thankful for your love and support. We'll always remember you! -Cherelle

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Uncle Walter, you are definitely missed by all of us. You were such a great man of God who loved his family. I thank you for all of the great memories that I will always cherish and hold near to my heart. One of the best memories was the day I was married. My dad was sick with cancer and unable to make it, but you stepped in and walked me down the aisle. It didn't stop there. You were always there for my husband, children and I. Thank you for being a wonderful Uncle, and now may you Rest In Heaven. God has a purpose and plan for us all. Not all of us fulfill that purpose, but I know for sure that you did. I love you! Katrice

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You were so sweet and mild. I don't think I can ever recall a time when I've seen you angry. You've always opened up your home to us and have made sure that if I ever needed anything, I could ask. I love you and miss you, uncle Walter. -Cherelle Clay

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I wan't to thank God for allowing me to have such an awesome brother In law. Walter Edward Clay was a strong man of faith and cared about everyone. He was always concerned about our family and always checked on his youngest brother my husband Maurice. He just wanted to make sure that he was alright. He will truly be missed. God Bless

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Uncle Walter was loved and I loved him! Throughout my stages of life especially the younger years he was there for support in anything I was involved in. He offered guidance, encouragement and the path of righteousness throughout my life! I could not ask for a better Uncle RIH Uncle Walt!!!

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Uncle Walter was loved and I loved him! Throughout my stages of life especially the younger years he was there for support in anything I was involved in. He offered guidance, encouragement and the path of righteousness throughout my life! I could not ask for a better Uncle RIH Uncle Walt!!!

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Granddaddy was an awesome grandfather who loved his grandkids, children, wife, and his family. He was a fun and loving man who guided his young family members to improve or begin their careers and encouraged his family to pursue a college education. He was also a successful man of God and he loved his trumpet. We love you and will miss you, Granddaddy! Love, Your Grandson, Zion Walter Shephard

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Daddy, I miss your smile, your walk, your voice, your hugs, the gentle way you called my name, the way you always bellowed, "Love you more!" A piece of my heart and a chunk of my whole being was stripped away the day you left us! You taught us how to love, you taught us how to forgive, how to serve God with our whole heart, how to be successful in life by pursuing a higher education that no one will ever be able to take from us. We love you so much, but God loved you more! You will be greatly missed! Love you forever, Daddy!! See you in Heaven!! Love always, Akida

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Walter Edward Clay was an outstanding friend, husband, father, and man of God. He showed diligence, patience, love, charity, and self-control. He was the epitome of greatness and he will be sorely missed!

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Nelson's Memorial Mortuary | Warner Robins, GA