Clay Hanley

Clois Clay Hanley, 77, of Mountain Home, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Calico Rock, Arkansas. He was born on April 14, 1948, in Batesville, Arkansas to Samuel Alf and Marie (Scott) Hanley.
Clay graduated from Melbourne High School in 1966. He then proudly served in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1968-1969 with the infantry and volunteered as a door gunner. He served with 7th Armored Squadron 1st Air Cavalry "Blackhawks" B Troop. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army on the 1st day of February 1974. He enjoyed going to military reunions for several years.
Jimmy Moore officiated the wedding of Clay and Judy Kay (Wattenbarger) Hanley on September 16, 1994, at Mountain Home. They made time for many years to take vacations across the country even though he made his living travelling across the United States.
Clay drove a big rig for 41 years before retiring. He drove whichever make the company gave him, but he preferred driving Peterbilt and was a master at it. The last years before retirement he shared the road with his good buddy, Clem. He has said he had driven all over the USA, but never got to see anything until him and his wife, Judy were on vacation.
Excellent at giving children Dutch rubs, giving everyone a hard time, and spending time at family reunions brought enjoyment to him. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and football and especially watching the grandsons in the sports they played.
The Grandparents who were supposed to be called, Grumps and Grandma were renamed, Bob and MeMaw by each grandson when they learned to talk. Bob taught the grandsons how to order a good steak and they have enjoyed many of them over the years.
He always enjoyed his trucks, so much that about every 18 months he got a new Ford until his blue 2010 Toyota.
Clay is survived by his wife, Judy; stepdaughter, Karla Humphrey and her husband, David; two grandsons, Caleb Humphrey and his girlfriend, Reese and Noah Humphrey and his girlfriend, Abby; nephews, Pat Alford, Sam Hanley, Jeff Hanley, Terry Frizzell and Roger Frizzell; nieces, Jena Estes, Jamie Hedden and all their families and great-great-nephews, Trigger and Wade. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lois Alford and Syble Frizzell; brother, Cleo Hanley and nephew, Terry Frizzell, Sr.
A visitation will be from 7 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Conner Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at the funeral home on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 10 a.m., with Pastor Josh Passmore officiating. Burial will follow at Hand Valley Cemetery in the Rea Valley Community.
Pallbearers are Scott "Clem" Chenevey, Caleb Humphrey, Noah Humphrey, Doug McManness, Matt Pool and Tony Schaab. Honorary pallbearers are Pat Alford, Jena Estes, Roger Frizzell, Jeff Hanley, Sam Hanley, Jamie Hedden, Rick Gillihan, David Humphrey, Jeff Martin, Brian McCollum, Jimmy Moore, Jessica Schaab and Bob Smyser.
Special thanks to White River Healthcare & Rehab, Legacy Hospice, The Mountain Home VA Clinic, Dr. Dyer and Dr. Matthews for their excellent care and services.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hand Valley Cemetery Association c/o Larry Bearden, 2955 MC 6075, Yellville, AR 72687.