Clayton Starkey Williams obituary - Obituary provided by Utah Tributes

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Clayton Starkey Williams

Orem

1925  -  2008

Clayton Starkey Williams of Orem, Utah passed away May 2, 2008 in Rexburg, Idaho from complications due to pneumonia at the age of 82.

Clayton was born July 10, 1925 in Kemmerer, Wyoming to Wilford and Lillian Williams. After graduating from Kemmerer High School he joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art from the University of Denver and went on to do gradate studies at the University of Southern California and the Art Center College of Design. While in school he picked up the sport of fencing, and went on to earn the praise of Aldo Nadi, one of the great all time masters of the sport. Nadi called Clayton one of the fastest fencers he ever had the pleasure of observing and competing against.

Clayton married Ann Silver in 1953 and although the marriage later ended, they remained lifelong friends. After working for Foot, Cone and Belding as an advertising illustrator, Clayton decided to teach art and fencing in 1957, later becoming the head of the fine and performing arts department at Hawthorne High School in California. He loved his students and the academic environment. Although he was offered several university positions he turned them down saying he wanted to train his students before they had been influenced by others. During his 32 years of teaching he had a profoundly positive influence on his students who not only loved and admired him, but excelled as they went on to win state and national art awards.

In 1967, Clayton married Theresa(Terry) LaMonte. They had two children, Christopher and Krista. The family loved going on trips together, hiking, fishing, and exploring. Terry's unexpected death in 1979 left Clayton greatly saddened, and he never remarried, although many opportunities came his way.

In 1991, Clayton retired to Orem, Utah, to be near his brother and best friend Glenn. He loved to go on walks in the hills around his home and became known to children in the neighborhood as the cookie man, for they often stopped by for a cookie and a joke - tokens of a lifelong kindness and generosity enjoyed by all those close to him.

Clayton will always be remembered for his wit, charm, and passionate zeal for life. He brought humor and a colorful personality to the lives of his many friends, and inspired others to believe in themselves as they adventured forward in life. He was a talented photographer and painter, always happy to share his skill by generously giving art lessons. Clayton enjoyed life's finer pleasures including the ballet, classical music (which he always played in his classrooms), BYU sports and chocolate shakes. He was a faithful member of the LDS church and a loving and devoted father and grandfather.

Clayton is survived by his son Christopher (Kara) of Rexburg, ID, his daughter Krista of Salt Lake, four grandchildren, Eden, Gabriel, Julia, and Lincoln of Rexburg, his sister-in-law Barbara Williams, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Terry, his parents and four siblings.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday May 10, 2008 at 1:00pm (with a viewing beginning at 11:30am), at the Heatheridge Stake Center, 450 East 2000 North in Orem.

Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery next to his wife Terry and brother Glenn.

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