Bessie Clayton

January 1, 1926 - May 10, 2014

Bessie Clayton, 88, formerly of 1403 Nebraska Street in Boone, Iowa passed away at Westhaven Community in Boone on Tuesday morning, May 6, 2014 where she had resided since November 2010. She was born on January 1, 1926 near Clarinda, Iowa the daughter of Ralph and Ora (Eshelman) Williams. On December 8, 1943, she married Dallas LaVerne Clayton at Troy, Kansas. Bessie was a homemaker and worked at the Woodward State Hospital School for the State of Iowa for 23 years before retiring. She loved sewing clothes, quilting and embroidering baby quilts. Over the years, she made hundreds of quilts for family and friends, or for treasured gifts. Watching the squirrels and birds at her backyard feeders gave her great pleasure. Bessie had a special love for cardinals. Bessie enjoyed raising her family and spoiling her grandchildren. Remembering friends and neighbors brought her many fond memories. Her parents; husband Dallas LaVerne in August of 2001; and 1 brother Jim Williams preceded her in death. Survivors include 4 daughters Patricia McFarland and husband Cliff of West Des Moines, Iowa, Cheryl Clayton of Boone, Rhonda Clayton and husband Floyd Gilbert of Boone, and Lisa Denk and husband Jurgen of Golden, Colorado; 2 sons Dallas Clayton and wife Susy of Villisca, Iowa and Greg Clayton of Boone; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandson; 2 sisters Beverly Jones and husband Leland of DeSoto, Kansas and Mary Jo Herzberg and husband Oliver of Villisca, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. Services will be held on Saturday morning, May 10th at 10:00 a.m. at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone with Chaplain Carla Werre officiating. Interment will be in the Bass Point Cemetery north of Boone. Friends may call at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone on Friday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with the family present during that time to greet friends. Visitations will continue on Saturday morning at the Chapel from 8:00 a.m. until the time of service. In memory of Bessie, memorial gifts may be directed to Homeward Hospice.