Clayton Owen Whitley

Clayton Owen Whitley

October 1, 1925 – July 23, 2014

ZEBULON – Clayton Whitley, 88, died at Duke Raleigh Hospital with his family by his side.  Mr. Whitley was born in Nash County to the late Charlie Burgess & Martha Brantley Whitley.  His 12 siblings also preceded him in death.  Clayton served his country in the U. S. Coast Guard (Merchant Marines), and U. S. Army.  He was chosen to be part of the Veterans’ final “Flight of Honor” to Washington, D. C. in 2012.  He married Margaret Pace on October 22, 1949.  He was employed with Beck Brothers Veneer, Jim Turner Enterprises, Omark Industries and retired from Heilig Meyers Furniture Company in 1998.  

Clayton was a member of Wakefield Central Baptist Church in Zebulon.  He coached Wakefield Little League Baseball from 1965 to 1968.  An avid Wolfpack Fan, in 2000 he was recognized for 42 years of service by the Department of Athletics at NC State University.  He was proud to be able to attend the NCAA National Championship Game in 1983 when the “Cardiac Pack” won the national title in Albuquerque, NM and would tell you, bounce for bounce, about the games whenever given the chance.  He served as an Usher with the Carolina Mudcats from the opening game in 1991 until 2013.  Clayton was named Zebulon’s Citizen of the Year in 2005.  A member of the Zebulon Lions Club, in 2010, he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellows Award, 2012, he was given a 50 year award for membership and service, as well as the Jack Stickley Fellows Award.  At his death he was its oldest member.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 64 years, Margaret Pace Whitley of the home, daughters; Jeanette Hammond and husband Tom, Paula Hux and husband Dale, both of Zebulon, grandchildren; Shelli McInnis and Fiancé Chris Rowland, Marla Dale Ren Hux, step grandchild, Justin Hammond,  sister-in-law, Janice Whitley of Raleigh, many nieces, nephews, and special fishing buddy, Austin Boyette.

Flowers welcomed or memorials may be made to Wakefield Central Baptist Church building program, 308 Proctor Street, Zebulon, NC.

Funeral service, 2:30 pm, Saturday, Wakefield Central Baptist Church with burial to follow in Gethsemane Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be 12:45 pm  – 2:15 pm, at the church prior the service and other times at the home.

Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home, 211 W. Third ST., Wendell.  www.stricklandfuneralhomes.net