Jessie Will Clay, age 82, of 578 Fisher Farm Road, Martinsville, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2014 at the VA Hospital in Salem. He was born in Henry County to the late Jessie Will Clay and Indie Wagner Clay Ramsey Clark on January 14, 1932. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Dane Ramsey and Mitchell Ramsey.

He was a member of Rich Acres Christian Church. SGM Clay retired from the U.S. Army with 30 years service, having served in the Korean War where he was a POW for over two years, and he also served in the Vietnam War with the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Battalions. For his service to his country he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal w/ 1 OLC, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Army of Occupation Medal(Japan), Parachutist Badge, UN Service Medal, NDSM w/ 1OLC, Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), Driver Mechanic Badge w/ Bar. He had also worked as a real estate agent in Illinois for ten years. He was also a former member of the Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Randall (Ruth) Clay of Ridgeway, Darrell (Gabi) Clay of Davenport, Iowa, Jeffery (Lena) Clay of Shelby, NC, two sisters, Dolly Mae Tobler of Myrtle Beach, SC and Dale Conner of Bassett, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

His funeral service will be held on Friday, November 21, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Roselawn Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Hunt officiating the service. Interment will follow in the Roselawn Burial Park with full military honors by the U.S. Army. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service on Friday in the chapel of Roselawn.

Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home is serving the Clay family.
Online condolences may be made at www.roselawnchapelfuneralhome.com