William Clayton

Published 12:00 am Friday, November 6, 2009

William “Larry” Clayton, 63, life-long resident of Helena, was born Sept. 15, 1946 and passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009.
He was a devoted husband, father, son, Gran, and friend.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lane Clayton; and sister, Tillie Bailey.
Survivors include Larry’s wife of 43 years, Cathy; mother, Eva Clayton; son, Del (Julie); daughter, DeeDee O’Neal (Howard); five beloved grandchildren, Aaron, Rachel, and Rebekah Clayton, and Clay and William O’Neal; brother-in-law, Neil Bailey; sisters-in-law, Patsy Glasscock (Wayne) and Lou Pierce; and multiple nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other family, and friends.
Larry was a life-long member of Helena United Methodist Church. He started his career in heavy-duty truck parts at Fruehauf Trailer and Alabama Trailer.
In 1975, he established his own company, City Truck and Trailer Parts Inc. His Birmingham office was the headquarters for 18 branches throughout the Southeast.
After 23 years of success, Larry ventured into real estate development in Shelby County.
In 2001, he developed Timberline Golf Club and residential community on the former site of Buxahatchee Country Club in Calera. U.S. Open Championship winner Jerry Pate designed Timberline Golf Club.
Larry was also co-owner of Victory Pontiac-GMC Trucks, LLC, and Clayton-Bailey Properties LLC.
Though Larry was a successful business entrepreneur, avid golfer, and avid hunter, nothing was more important to him than spending quality time with his family and friends.
The funeral service was Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 at Helena United Methodist Church, 2035 Hwy 58 in Helena. Burial followed in Helena City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Larry’s family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Building Fund at Helena United Methodist Church or to the Capital Campaign at his grandchildren’s school, Evangel Classical Christian School in Alabaster.
Arrangements were made by Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham.