Edward Clay

Edward Ed Alvin Clay, 70, of Great Falls, a retired US Air Force Veteran, passed away on Saturday, April 21 2012 of natural causes at his residence. Funeral services will be held at the Northwest Family Fellowship on Friday, April 27, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Edward Ed Alvin Clay was born in Broadus, MT on September 10, 1941 to Arthur and Jeannette Clay.His family lived in several towns and cities in Montana, but he was primarily raised in Butte, MT.As a youth growing up in Butte, he was an achieved young athlete and excelled in several grade school sports including football, basketball and volleyball.In 1959, at the young age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, beginning a long military career.He married the love of his life, Johanna M. Kingsbury of Butte, MT.They had 45 happy years together and were blessed with four children.During his military career he was stationed at several bases state side and in Germany and Guam.He honorably served his country in Vietnam and received numerous awards and medals which included two Commendations and two Meritorious Awards for his service. His last duty station was at Malmstrom AFB and after twenty years he retired from the military in 1979. After his military retirement, Ed worked in many apt capacities for several employers including:Centerville "public" Schools, the Columbus Hospital, City of Chinook, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.He finally retired in 2001 as the "public" Streets Superintendent for the City of Missoula.He then continued to work managing two large apartment complexes in Great Falls for Innervision, Inc.After retirement, Ed spent much of his spare time on the Missouri River and Holter Lake. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren on fishing and camping trips. Ed found great joy in caring for, playing with, and spending time with his grandchildren during their younger years. He is survived by his daughters Darla Huttinger of Simi, CA and Carla Clay of Great Falls, MT; sons John Clay of Fitchburg, MA and Rodney Clay of Great Falls, MT; brothers James Clay of Missoula, MT and John Clay of Beaverton, OR; sister Audrey Marquette of Yakima, WA; grandchildren Halley and Andrew Clay; and several sister and brother in laws, nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews from throughout the United States.He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Johanna Clay; his parents Arthur and Jeannette Clay; brothers Nels, Donnie, Roger and Audie; half brothers Billy, Danny, Kenny, and Ronnie and sisters Charlotte, Bonna, Juanita and Claris.