NEWTON, Clayton of Clifford – passed away at Hanover and District Hospital on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in his 89th year. Clayton was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Doris (Macke) Newton in 2012 and survived by sons Larry Newton of Clifford and Wayne Newton and his wife Barbara Taylor of London, Ont., and by grandsons Adam and Ian. Also survived by sisters Audrey Culbert and her husband Victor of Mildmay, and Dara Vincent and her husband Morris of Morden, Man., and by her sister-in-law Audrey Newton of Mildmay. Predeceased by father William Everett Newton, mother Melinda (Phillipps) and brothers Kenneth Newton and wife Betty of Walkerton and Gordon Newton of Mildmay. Clayton was a telephone installer, repairman, and cable splicer for family-owned Wightman Telecom, primarily serving customers in Clifford, Ayton, and Neustadt for 40 years. He often joked he had been in more women’s bedrooms in those communities than any man alive. Known for his artful storytelling and humour, Clayton was proud of the fact he was the first non-family member hired for full-time employment at Wightman. He was committed to quality customer service in the days before it had to be taught and felt a strong loyalty to his employer in a career which spanned several technological changes. Clayton was among the last to regularly climb telephone poles, a physically demanding task he had taught to many employees who were hired after him. Health concerns forced Clayton’s early retirement in 1989. Equally strong was Clayton’s commitment to the community of Clifford, where he was educated to Grade 8, and to where he moved after growing up in a farm in Normanby Township. As a lean and incredibly strong young man, he was recruited to be among the earliest members of the Clifford Volunteer Fire Department, where he always embraced the most physically demanding duties. He served on the fire department for 33 years, overlapping with the start of son Larry’s own volunteer firefighting career. Clayton was also an active volunteer with Salem Evangelical United Brethern Church in Clifford before it amalgamated with Knox United Church, and with Carrick Camp, where for decades he supervised the parking of cars in what was then a crowded and popular summer week of church services. He was also a former member of Hill and Dale Riders snowmobile club in Mildmay. Like so many before him, he died waiting to see the Toronto Maple Leafs win another Stanley Cup. Indeed, he preferred to watch WWE wrestling over many editions of Leafs teams. Clayton was hampered by health issues and mobility challenges in his last years, those legs which once scaled telephone poles and firefighters ladders no longer allowing him to walk long distances. He took pride in being an avid newspaper reader, keeping abreast with current events, and in the accomplishments of his grandchildren. Friends called at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston on Monday, Aug. 10 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service was held at Knox United Church, Clifford on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 2 pm. Interment Clifford Cemetery. Memorial donations to Knox United Church would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at
www.hardyleefuneralhome.com.
