SPRINGLAKE - Friends and family paid tribute to Bill Clayton in a service Wednesday memorializing the life of a farmer and former speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
"Nobody worked harder than Bill Clayton did," former Speaker of the House Pete Laney said. "It's a work ethic that we have out here."
Known to friends and family as "Billy Wayne," Clayton suffered his last year with illness, said the Rev. Glenn Harlin, who oversaw the service.
Born in Olney, Clayton attended Texas A&M University where he graduated in 1950. He later earned an MBA from the University of Texas.
He was first elected to the state House in 1962 and was elected speaker in 1975, which is when he made his mark as a legislative leader.
"He never forgot his roots, and that's why he built his home here," Harlin said, noting Clayton's dedication to the church where he lay Wednesday, a Texas flag draped over his casket.
Former and current state representatives attended the services, including current Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, R-Midland, Rep. Delwin Jones, R-Lubbock, and fellow Texas Aggie Clayton Williams, a candidate for governor in 1990, also attended.
"We've been neighbors and friends for as long as I can remember," Laney said, summarizing Clayton's successful tenure as a representative as the result of hard work - the kind that comes with experience as a farmer.
Craddick, with his wife, Nadine, said their friendship with Clayton has been especially important since Craddick entered the House in 1969.
In 1975, Clayton appointed Craddick as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee - then the first Republican appointed to a chairmanship in 100 years.
"He had a huge impact on my political career and really in my desire to stay in the House," Craddick said Wednesday.
Clayton's son, Tommy Clayton, delivered a eulogy, outlining the many accomplishments of Clayton's life.
"Billy Wayne was a prepared man - so prepared, he wrote this obituary," Tommy Clayton said, drawing laughs. "But in my own words, I'm proud to be Billy Wayne's son."