Rev. Bill L. Clayton

Marion- Rev. Bill L. Clayton, 70, passed away at 4:04 PM May 17, 2002 at his residence. The worship service will begin Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 7:00 PM at First Church of God in Marion with Rev?s. Mike Ebert, Paul Ramsey, Gary Clark, and Danny Gray officiating. At the close of the service family and friends will have the opportunity to say farewell in the narthex of the church as they leave. Visitation will begin Tuesday at the church at 2:00 PM in the afternoon. Burial services will be held the following day at Oddfellows cemetery for family and friends. Memorial donations may be made to the church music department or Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home or during the visitation. Mr. Clayton was born on September 13, 1931 in Marion to Lum and Opal (Parmley) Clayton. He married Delores Norman on July 14, 1956 in Marion. She survives in Marion. Bill served his country in the US Airforce during the Korean War. After the war he worked at Norge from 1954 to 1974, and then entered full-time gospel ministry and he was ordained and retiring in 1995. He was an Associate Pastor and Minister of Music with the First Church of God in Bradenton, Florida and later served as Associate Pastor and Director of Outreach at First Church of God in Marion. There he held the honorable position of Associate Pastor Emeritus for the past year. Rev. Clayton was known as ?Singer Bill? and was the lead singer and father of the Clayton Trio. Bill?s surviving family includes: Wife: Delores Clayton of Marion Son and Dau-in-law: Scott and Paula Clayton of Arrington, TN Dau and Son-in-law Carol and Morgan Alsip of Marion Grandchildren: Jane Ann Clayton-Alsip, Rebekah Lynne Clayton, and Jacob Samuel Clayton. Brother: Ralph Clayton of West Frankfort ? Brother Phillip Clayton of Belleville ? Sister Barbara Sweet of Herrin ? Sister Bonnie Berkel of El Paso, TX ? Sister Betty Pankey of Marion ? Sisters Linda Clayton and Denise Sizemore of Herrin. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers Donald and Kenneth Clayton. This obituary and guest register is available at www.hughesfuneralhomes.com