Clay P. Hepler

Clay P. Hepler

Clay Pearce Hepler, age 98, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg. Clay was born August 21, 1926, at his grandmother's house in Urbana, Ohio, to John M. and Belinda (Pearce) Hepler.

Clay attended high school in Lansing, Michigan, where he was active in varsity sports, playing both football and baseball. He attended Michigan State College (MSC), where he played football for the Spartans. While attending college, Clay enlisted in the Army Air Corps; at the end of WWII, he returned to MSC before transferring to Ohio Wesleyan University. While at Wesleyan, he continued to be involved in varsity sports, officiating at local high school basketball and summer league baseball games. He also joined his brother, John, as a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated in 1948 with a BA in Business.

On September 1, 1948, Clay married his college sweetheart, Betty O'Rourke, and they celebrated 64 years together before her passing in 2012. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan, he started his career with his father-in-law at O'Rourke Buick. While Clay was there, he learned of every operation of each department. Next, Clay became a sales representative of the Abbey-Aetna Company, which helped diversify his experience until his return to O'Rourke Buick five years later when he became the Executive Vice President and General Manager. After the sale of the dealership in 1971, Clay served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Toledo Automotive Dealer's Association for the next 32 years; during that time, he also served as National President of the Automotive Trade Association Executives.

Throughout his life, Clay was very involved in community service, including sports, committees, advisory boards, executive memberships, and other duties at numerous organizations. One of Clay's proudest accomplishments of his active life was spearheading and lobbying for the creation of Maumee Bay State Park.

Clay spent 3 years on the football coaching staff at DeVilbiss High School and 2 years on the University of Toledo football coaching staff. During this time, he served as president of the Downtown Coaches Association and was honored with the 12th Man Award.

Clay was involved with numerous legislative committees, the Toledo Chamber of Commerce, air shows, and holiday parades. He was active on multiple advisory boards, including Owens Technical College-Automotive Technology, Toledo Mud Hens, and Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments.

His executive memberships included roles as the Chairman of the Board of Safety Council of Northwest Ohio, President of the Toledo Exchange Club, Director of the Jesters, President of the Ohio Shrine Association, and Chairman of the Board of the Better Business Bureau for 6+ years.

Clay was a member of Barton Smith Lodge, York Rite, and Scottish Rite. He became Potentate of Zenobia Shrine in 1961, making him the youngest Potentate in the country at the age of 35. He was a proud member of the Toledo Club for 58 years, Brandywine Country Club, Sylvania Country Club, Devil's Lake Yacht Club, and the Toledo-Sylvania and Maumee Elks Lodges for over 60 years.

Upon retiring, Clay worked part time for the Walker Funeral Home on Sylvania Avenue to continue giving back to his community.

At the end of his life, Clay resided at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, in Perrysburg, Ohio, on a pilot program. There he received loving care from their outstanding staff, who called him "Hep." Accompanying him at Hospice was his loving companion, Heppy the fish, who swam vigorously alongside Clay until last summer. His family and friends would especially like to thank the staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg for the tremendous care you all gave our dearest Clay during his last several years. You have our unending gratitude.

Clay is survived by his daughter, Belinda (Robert) Kenyon; son, Clay W. (Amy Judge) Hepler; grandchildren, Robert (Julie) Kenyon, William (Michelle) Kenyon, Brian Boggs, Daniel (Rachel) Boggs, Brooke (Matt) Combs, and Christopher (Nicole) Hepler; 5 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Nancy Templeton; niece, Kathy Hepler; multiple great-nieces and nephews; and many good friends, including Steve and Judy DeDonato. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Belinda Hepler; his wife, Betty Hepler; daughter, Carol Gibson; and brother, John Hepler.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, March 14, 2025, in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, where Elks Memorial Services will be held at 6:45 p.m. Funeral services and interment will be held privately.

Contributions in Clay's name are suggested to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

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