Deacon Willie Edward Clayton, Senior, was born February 23, 1928 in Jacksonville, Florida to the late William and Maude Ross Clayton. Clayton received his primary education from West Jacksonville Elementary School and A.L. Lewis Junior High School (now LaVilla School of the Arts).  He was a proud graduate of Old Stanton High School graduating Class of 1947, where he served as his class' Treasurer and the classmate of unsung Civil Rights Activist, the late Rutledge H. Pearson.  After graduating from Old Stanton High School, he joined the United States Army, where he served for two years; then enlisting in the United States Air Force Reserve, where he served for three years; becoming a Corporal and Certified Electrician.  Clayton received Honorable Discharge from both branches.  After serving in the military, he began a career with the United States Postal Service, where he served for over thirty years.  He worked as a Clerk, then excelled to being the Clerk In Charge of the Register Room.  He was known as the man in the "Red Room."

In June of 1961, Clayton married Emma B. Henderson.  This union was blessed to be together for more than sixty years.

While employed by the U.S. Postal Service, he and his wife became entrepreneurs, stabling a transportation business that provided service for the Duval County Public Schools System, employing over thirty individuals.  In addition to their acts of service, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton provided services for many schools and athletics programs at little or no cost.

In the 1980's, he and his wife established E.B.C. Tour Transportation Company, providing transportation for various communities.  Retiring the business in 2013, he and his wife continued to be active and supportive of the community.

Clayton was a devoted member of West Friendship Baptist Church in Jacksonville for over eighty-three years; where he served diligently on April 29, 1979, he was ordained as a Deacon under the pastorate of the late Reverend Richard Wilson.  While serving as a Deacon, he was Chairman of the Pastoral Committee Board, Financial Director, Historian, District One Leader, and he also served in the Male Chorus until his illness.

He was involved in numerous organizations, Jacksonville Amateur Golfer's Guild; Lifetime Member of the History Channel Club; Small Business Association; Club Master of the Cherokee District of Boy Scouts of America; Brittanica Society, and the International Association of Lion's Club.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, William and Maude Clayton; sisters, Margaret Clayton Day, Veronica Clayton, Ima Rose Clayton White and Dimples Hall; brother, William Clayton, Jr.; sons, Willie Edward Clayton, Jr. and Gregory Ernest Clayton; grandson, Erin Oglesby and niece, Rosemary Love.

On March 16, 2021, he entered into his Heavenly Home at 4:45pm, surrounded by his family.

Deacon Willie Edward Clayton, Sr. leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of over sixty years, Mrs. Emma B. Clayton; children, Barbra Brown, Beverly Clayton Oglesby (Eugene), Danny Clayton and Bobby Clayton (Arleen), Eric Clayton (Patricia) and Gary Clayton; twelve grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; sister, Gloria Clayton; brother, James Clayton; brothers-in-law; James Day and Joseph Williams, Sr. and sisters-in-law, Jettie Henderson and Marzella McDonald; a number of other relatives and friends.