Howard Lee Clayton, 78

A celebration of the life of Howard Lee Clayton, 78, of Waterloo, Iowa, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2020, at UAW Local 838, 2615 Washington St. in Waterloo. Graveside services will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Hicks Cemetery in Theodosia. Mr. Clayton died March 4 at his home from complications linked to lung cancer.

He was born July 25, 1941, in Theodosia, the son of Roland and Aline Mahan Clayton. He was married to Janice Parizek Wyles from 1960 to 1974. On March 30, 1979, he married Mae Anderson.

Mr. Clayton worked at John Deere from 1960 until 1990. After retiring, he drove a semi-truck for 10 years. He became a custom RV hauler for Bennett Transport in 2000 and continued in that job until his death. He was someone who never met a stranger. He enjoyed traveling the country in his prized truck and his family believed he never  drove by a casino without stopping. He passed on his love of gambling to all his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Christine Dunlap and husband Jeffrey, and two sons, Bruce Clayton and wife Kellie and Arlin Clayton and wife Stephanie, all of Waterloo; two stepsons, Darwin and Steve Anderson of Evansdale, Iowa; grandchildren Bryant Budensiek and wife Allyson of Waterloo, Kaley Close and husband Bryan of Fairbank, Iowa, Kyle Clayton of Evansdale, Iowa, and Kenedie and Kinzie Clayton of Waterloo; a stepgrandson, Jordan Dunlap of New Hampton, Iowa; great-grandchildren Berkley Close and William and Samuel Budensiek; and a brother, Harold Clayton and wife Margene of Waterloo.

He was preceded in death by  his parents.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423