Clayton L. Valley Obituary (2013)

Clayton L. "Clayt" Valley, 98, died August 29 at his home in Waterboro of natural causes.He was born in Easton, Maine on February 6, 1915, the second son of Harvey H. and I. Myrtle (Garrison) Valley. He was predeceased by three brothers, one sister, one daughter and three wives.He is survived by his wife of four years, Gertrude L. (Farwell) Fletcher Valley, four sons and three daughters, Carroll L. Valley of Donnville, Arkansas, Stanley E. Valley of Greenbrier, Arkansas, Esther Gerry of Spring Hill, Florida, Edith Hutchinson of Kittering, Ohio, David P. Valley of Windham, Paula J.V. Page of Milton, New Hampshire and Garrison K. Valley of Sanford. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, Deborah Arnold of Plummerville, AR, Michael Valley of Morrillton, AR, Stephen Valley of Portland, Dianna Valley of Morrillton, AR, Dana Valley of Middletown, PA, Richard Valley of Dallas, TX, Annette Thompson of Conway, AR, Bruce Valley of Conway, AR, Lisa Shelton of Greenbrier, AR. Robin Gerry of Spring Hill, FL, James Gerry of South Portland, Mark Hutchinson of Chandler, AZ, Jeffrey Hutchinson of Williston, VT, Vonnie Briggs of Brentwood, CA, Sheila Seideman of San Diego, CA, Tami Maddocks of Wahiawa, HI, David J. Valley of Brandon, FL, Brian Valley of Rollinsford, NH, Lindsey Nunan of Acton, Caleb Valley of Steamboat Springs, CO, Ethan Valley of Sanford and Isaac Valley of Sanford, at least 38 great grandchildren and several great, great grandchildren. Clayton attended grade schools in Crouseville. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in 1945. His life's employment consisted of prep cook, shoe shop, union carpenter and finish carpenter. He owned and operated two barber shops in Terryville and Middlebury, CT and was a grinding machine operator at New Departure in Bristol, Connecticut when he retired in 1978.Throughout his life he resided in Washburn, Old Town, Old Orchard Beach, Norwalk, Bristol, Thomaston and Terryville, Connecticut before returning to Shapleigh and finally to Waterboro. He took pride in his work which was displayed in each of the four homes he built and occupied during his life. His interests and passions were focused around family events, especially if it involved gospel music because he played many instruments including violin, guitar, harmonica and a little piano. He played his guitar in every church he attended until his fingers would no longer permit him to form the cords. He then taught himself the keyboard where an impromptu game of "name that tune" would trigger his memory to the hundreds of tunes he would play by ear one after the other. He also enjoyed motorcycling. Even after a motorcycle crash that resulted in a left leg below knee amputation in 1975 he owned five different motorcycles. One of his most astonishing accomplishments at the age of 98 was getting on his Kioti tractor and literally digging the grave into which the vault would be set for his final resting place.Clayton will be remembered by many for his powerful handshakes, his genuine smile, his ingenuity to fix things, his passion for political issues and his love for the One True God and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we say good bye for now we rejoice in the long life he has lived and trust the reunion he is experiencing is far greater than the struggles he endured. He will be missed but not forgotten.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 6 to 8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday at 1:00 PM at the Ross Corner Baptist Church with the Revs. Scott Black and David Dickinson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the cemetery Clayt created on his property in Waterboro.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. Condolences can be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.