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ROBERT SMITH CLAY

Robert Smith “Boulder” Clay, age 74, of LaBelle, Missouri, died Thursday, July 31, 2008, in Columbia, Missouri.
He was born September 26, 1933, at LaBelle, Missouri, the son of Robert Roy and Cora Ann Manley Clay.
On February 11, 1956, at LaBelle, Missouri he was united in marriage to Zonia Perkins.
Surviving are his wife, Zonia Clay of LaBelle, Missouri, three children, Donna Jean Dilligard and husband, Mike of Canton, Missouri; Patricia Sanchez and husband Adalberto of Pennebrooke Pines, Florida; and Robert K. Clay of Jacksonville, Florida; his mother, Cora Ann Clay of LaBelle, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; one sister, Louella Johnson and husband John of Quincy, Illinois; two brothers, Roy William Clay and wife Ella of LaBelle, Missouri and Arthur D. Clay and wife Susan of Quincy, Illinois; one uncle, Granville Clay and wife Francis of Quincy, Illinois; three aunts, Irene McGruder and Ruby Clay of LaBelle, Missouri and Veta Stewart of Ft. Madison, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Robert was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Harry Frank Clay.
Robert received his education in LaBelle schools. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1958, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Robert was employed as a truck driver for several companies including Sharkey Trucking and Master Tank & Welding in Quincy, Illinois. He was employed for several years with M.F.A. in LaBelle, Missouri, and also drove for Sharpe Land and Cattle south of LaBelle, Missouri. He was a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Boulder enjoyed baseball, spending time with his children and grandchildren, watching them play basketball, and watching westerns. He was known as Vamp on his C.B. radio.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2008, at the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Missouri. The Reverend James A. Salter officiated the services, assisted by Reverend Charles Sharpe. Burial with full military honors were in the LaBelle Cemetery conducted by the Missouri Honor’s Team.
Casket bearers were Sam Johnson, Cory Tournear, Chet Florea, Roy Lewis, Robert Gay and Michael Perkins, Jr. Ralph Clay, Jr., Finley Lewis, Jr.
Honorary bearers were Charles Florea, Paul Ross, Keith Gardner and Mike Manley.
Visitation was after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Missouri, with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Chapel.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Robert Smith Clay may be made to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, Missouri 63447.