Clayton Leroy Johnson

Clayton Leroy Johnson, a loved husband, father, son, brother, and friend passed peacefully on Sunday, October 2, 2016. Clay, with his wife of 68 years, Bonnie, lived a long and full life. He was born in Omak, WA on August 1, 1927 to Andrew and Hattie (Aspen) Johnson. The family followed Andrew's nomadic employment in logging and smelter work. Moving to Troy, ID, Chelan and then finally to Wenatchee. As a young boy in Chelan, Clay had a job with the Lady of the Lake, riding his bike to deliver grocery orders for residents living up the lake. That bicycle also carried a young Senator Parlette on the handlebars. Clay went to Wenatchee High School where he met his life partner, Bonnie Dee Edwards. They treasured their time together, often cruising his Plymouth up to Lake Chelan. As was Clay's life-long attempt to save a dollar wherever he could, he would shut the car off at the top of tunnel hill and coast as far at the bottom as possible. Feeling more patriotic and less studious, he joined the Navy before graduating from high school, (achieving his graduate equivalent degree after leaving the Navy). Upon enlistment, he joined a pharmacy program and completed it with high marks. This led to being stationed in Boston, and assigned duties as chauffeur for a General and allowed him frequent travel to visit a cousin in Amesbury, MA. Clay completed his service, was Honorably Discharged, and returned home to marry Bonnie and continue their lives together. Clay was employed by Northwest Wholesale, Inc. in 1948, working for his church group mentor, Don Phipps. He worked for NWW, Inc. for 41 years, retiring as General Manager. Once married, they set up their first home in the Burke Hill Apartments and started constructing their first of 14 homes on Sunset St., south of 5th St. Every evening after work, Clay was off to continue building, walking when the old Plymouth wasn't running. Beginning with their high school trips to the lake, a strong yearning grew to build a place on the lake. They finally achieved that goal in 1975, and treasured their time there with family and friends. In 1983, they began annual trips to Hawaii, developing many friendships. In between these trips, they traveled throughout Europe, connecting with relatives in Sweden. Clay was an active member of Rotary and YMCA Camp Committee, he volunteered for the Sunnyslope Fire Department and the Wenatchee Youth Circus. He helped construct the First United Methodist Church and the Larry Handy Lodge at the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and granddaughter, Lindsay. Clay is survived by his wife, Bonnie; sons, Doug (Cathy), Rick (Kris) and Greg (Lisa) Johnson, all of Wenatchee; brothers, Roger, East Wenatchee & Ron (Judy) Johnson, Wenatchee; four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Special Thanks from the family to Bonaventure and their caring staff and Hospice for the care of Clay. A celebration of Clayton's life will be held at the First United Methodist church, 941 Washington St., Wenatchee at 11:00 am, Friday, October 14th. A reception will follow in the church's Social Room. Graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Sunnyslope Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations are suggested to the Wenatchee Valley YMCA, "Y" Camp in lieu of other remembrances. You are invited to view his online guestbook at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Clayton Leroy Johnson

August 1, 1927 - October 2, 2016