B. Bernard Clayton

B. Bernard Clayton, born to Ed and Emma Clayton, May 14, 1920, died Dec. 7, 2010, at his home in Billings.

At age 12, he saw a magazine ad, "The New York Life man in your community is a good man to know." It started a dream that did come true but only after life took time to fit him for it.

The needed competition spirit was whetted with marble championships, swimming medals, a winning football team. His "self-starter" got him through many jobs: farmhand, gas station attendant, office cleaner (including windows five stories up). After he married Doris in 1941, there was Illinois Central Railroad and 725th Railway Battalion in WWII, including two years in India. Then rural mail carrier, short-order cook, coal miner and a six-week stint in the copper mines in Butte. All this plus two children filled the first 10 years of their marriage.

His sales career began in Butte, making lots of money selling vacuum cleaners, but the desire to be with New York Life persisted. He had gained an understanding of life and of people, which would make him a good insurance man - "a good man to know." In 1952, he started in Billings, the NY Life manager nicknamed him Bernie.

In December 1994, Bernie wrote this to be included in his obituary:

"Bernie was born in Missouri and raised in Southern Illinois, the middle son of Ed and Emma Clayton. He had two dear brothers whom he loved and was loved by. They were always close throughout life.

"Bernie became a New York Life agent in 1952, and was extremely successful in his career for the company and the business was the love of his life.

"How old is Bernie? Bernie never had an age; he was always young. And who were his friends? Everyone, for he never seemed to meet anyone he truly didn't like. Yes, some people run at you at times and you have to straighten things out. But friendship goes beyond this, and you continue to like them."

Bernie wants to thank each of you for your specialness to him, and he is looking forward to being with you all again across the river in the Promised Land of Christ.

Bernie was a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, but now he's attending God's Golden Round Table.

Bernie expresses his love and encouragement to all of you, in Christ.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Herman; and grandson, Thomas Clayton. He is survived by brother Lee; wife Doris; son David; daughter Catherine (David) Purnell; also six grandchildren, Carolyn (John) Port, Douglas (Becky) Clayton, Will Clayton, Kathryn (Sean) Dougherty, Christy Clayton and John Clayton - plus two great-grands, Anna and Madeline Port.

Visitation will be 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at Smith's West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. Services will be at First Baptist Church, Third Avenue North and Division, 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 13, where he was an active member for 58 years. Interment will be in Terrace Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church.