Wilbur H. Clay, Sr.

Wilbur Harrison Clay was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to the union of Alfred H. and Mary Anne Pitts-Clay on June 10, 1942 and transitioned on March 31, 2020.

Wilbur was baptized in 1949 by Bishop Phillips of Zion First Pentecostal Church.

Wilbur attended Central High School and alter joined the U.S. Army’s 101st Air Borne Division as a Staff Sergeant. He later re-enlisted for the Vietnam War where he was wounded in 1968 and received a “Purple Heart”. Upon his return, he began working for the U.S. Postal Service. He retired after 30 years of service.

Wilbur was known for his singing voice, known as “Silky Smooth”. He sang for the Lord with SBC Male Chorus, serving as President and Director. He was ordained a Deacon under the leadership of the late Rev. James E. Milton. He taught Sunday School and sang with the 100+ African American Men Chorus.

He later joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Glendale under Pastor Kendall Logan and served as Director of the Male Chorus.

Wilbur leaves to cherish his memory and legacy: Shirley Clay who he united in marriage to on October 8, 1984. He was previously married and to that union was Rosalind, Marilyn, Wilbur H., Phillip, Deana and Kevin. His siblings, Alfred, Sharon Tolbert, Susan Dewberry (deceased) and Janet Nixon; Shirley’s children, Regina Dunn (deceased), Ronald (Tineasha) Thompson and Preston (Wadina) Thompson; beloved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, George (deceased), Edward and Preston Trimm, Wonda Patterson, Vanessa Spivery and Melody (Keith Turner); 23 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; his special devoted grandson, Ronald Thompson III; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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