Clayton C. Davis, 86

Clayton Cooper Davis, 86, of Lima, died at 3:26 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2022 at Vancrest of St. Marys.

He was born Oct. 24, 1935 in Forsyth Co., NC to Bruce and Mozell (McKnight) Davis.

In 1986, he married Shirley Jane Sampson, who died Jan. 20, 2022.

Survivors include: son Kevin (Maria) Davis of Slidell, LA; daughter Sheila (Rodney) Metz of Wapakoneta; daughter Cheryl (Robert) Bechtel of Belle Center; daughter Denise (Steve) Gahman of Dublin, Ohio; grandchildren: Traber Giardina, Blair Ellenwood, A.J. Davis, John Clay Davis, Ericka Bechtel, Ryan Bechtel, Taylor Bechtel, Carol Ann Payne, Alison Entinghe, Luke Gahman, Michal Gahman; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters Nyrell Snyder of Rising Sun, MD

and Inell Goodman of Conowingo, MD and brother Thomas Davis of Leesburg, FL.

Preceded in death by: parents Bruce and Mozell Davis; wife Shirley Davis; sister Marcel Howell; former wife Bernice Bryant-Davis

Mr. Davis worked for Chrysler Corp. in Farmington Hills, Michigan and General Dynamics Corp. in Lima where he retired as chief of engineering. He was instrumental in overseeing design and production of the M1-Abrams tank for the U.S. military forces.

He was a long-time member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Lima.

His favorite pastimes included fishing, traveling in his RV with his wife Shirley, his dog Cooper and visiting with family and friends.

The family thanks the staff at Kessler Estates and St Rita’s Hospice for the excellent care and love shown to Clay.

Rites are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at the Miller Funeral Home 1605 Celina Road in St. Marys. The Rev. John Foster will officiate the services.

Burial will follow at the Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.

Visitation noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be directed to Mercy Health Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed and memories shared with Clayton’s family via: MillerFuneralHomes.net.