Ben Clayton III, 67, of York passed away at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Miss. Monday. Born July 10, 1943 to the late Ben Temple Clayton Jr. and Pattie Chapman Clayton, he was preceded in death by his parents, his son Ben Temple Clayton IV and sister Dianah C. Hamill. He is survived by his daughters Sunny C. Gary (Tony) of Linden, Casey C. Purcell (Bill) of Linden and Patricia C. Speed (Roger) of Collins, Miss., five grandchildren Andy Gary, Ashleigh Gary, Hunter Gary, Carmen Purcell and Douglas Purcell. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. at York United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Evangelista and family friend John Fielder officiating and Kirk Funeral Homes Demopolis Chapel directing.
The family received visitors from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Burial followed at Clayton Cemetery in Lauderdale, Miss. Active Pallbearers include Louis McDonald, John Fielder, Bobby Baldwin, Jimmy Upchurch, Bobby Pritchett, Danny McElroy, Pat Kidd and Jimmy Hall. Honorary Pallbearers include Buddy Reid, Andrews Chapel Masonic Lodge 151, Frank Shannon, Lonnie Shannon, Beanie Green, Dewayne Wright, Oscar Newton, Chad Harrison, Jack Rhaley and Owen Garrett.