George W. Clayton, Jr.

George William Clayton, Jr., 86, formerly of Asheville, died Thursday, October 25, 2007, at Fleshers Fairview Healthcare. A native of Buncombe County, he was a son of the late George W. Clayton, Sr. and Lula Lance Clayton. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Charles and Joe Clayton and a sister, Louise C. Rector. George grew up in Andrews, NC and served as a radio operator in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He received an Award of Valor for 50 missions flown over the European Theater and in North Africa. Following the war, George attended NC State University where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He then went to work for the NC DOT where he spent his career posted in Jackson and Wake counties. Retiring in 1982, George spent several years volunteering with the Jackson County Council on Aging. He also organized and served as the first president for the Jackson County Chapter of the Association for Retarded Children where he became a strong advocate for developmentally disabled citizens in Western North Carolina. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Hazel Morgan Clayton of Givens Estates; a daughter, Mary Clayton-McGlauflin of Cane Creek; a son, George W. Clayton, III (Butch) of Haw Creek and a granddaughter, Erin McGlauflin. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Monday in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery chapel with the Reverend David Rayburn officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Methodist Agency for Rehabilitation (UMAR), 15 Brook Drive, Asheville, NC 28805.