Dr. Willie Edward Clayton passed away Friday, March 12, 2010. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at Gospel Lighthouse Ministries, 3100 North 19th, in Waco.Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.Visitation with the family will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 19, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. Willie Edward Clayton was born July 14, 1954, to Major Clayton Jr. and Nettie B. (Irvin) Clayton in Waco.He grew up in Waco and confessed his hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized by his father, Superintendent Major Clayton Jr., who was the founding pastor of Gospel Lighthouse Church of God in Christ. He was a product of the Waco Independent School District and a graduate of Richfield High School.He was awarded the 2009 Teacher of the Year Award. After graduating high school, he attended Paul Quinn College in Waco and East Texas State University in Commerce, where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.Willie received his minister's license in the fall of 1993 by his father, Superintendent Major Clayton Jr. Willie was ordained by Bishop A. Ladell Thomas Sr. in August 1994.Willie later attended The Institute for Teaching God's Word Theological Seminary in Rockdale, earning a Master of Biblical Studies in June 1998 and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Counseling in June 1999. While attending East Texas State University, he met the love of his life, Marilyn Rene' Richard.After graduation, they married in 1980 in Los Angeles, Calif. It was while there he worked for Lockheed Martin in Burbank.After a short stay, they moved back to Texas later settling in Waco.To this union, the Lord added to the family as he saw fit.They were blessed with two sons, Jyris Brandon and Theron Jerrell. Willie was a committed educator working at Doris Miller and West Avenue Elementary Schools.He worked at West Avenue until his demise.Before serving in the field as an educator, he worked for Waco Center for Youth, Heart of Texas Mental Health Mental Retardation and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville and Rosharon, Texas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Major Clayton III. Those left to cherish his memory are a devoted wife of 30 years, Marilyn Rene' Richard Clayton; two sons, Jyris Brandon Clayton of Dallas and Theron Jerrell Clayton of Waco; granddaughter, Jamya LaShae of Dallas; his parents, Major Clayton Jr. and Nettie B. Irvin Clayton, of Waco; brothers, Ernest Clayton and wife, Gwenda, of Fort Worth, Ronald Clayton and wife, Teresa and Marvin Clayton and wife, Sharon, all of Waco; sisters, Bobbie Perkins and husband, Taylor and Sharon Brown and husband, Michael, all of Waco; devoted father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Doris Vaughn, of Fort Worth; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. The Guest Book is available at www.oakcrestwaco.com July 14, 1954 - March 12, 2010 Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com