December 1, 2020
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Clay. Clay was born and grew up in Saskatchewan, where he met and married Karen in 1957. In 1970 he moved to Williams Lake, and made a warm and loving home for all of us. He dedicated his time to many activities in the community.
He was a member of Citizens on Patrol for many years, and was the president of the Badminton Club for over thirty years: receiving Sport BC's Community Sport Hero award in 2014.
Clay was always involved in sports, playing hockey and baseball and swimming when he was a kid. He also rode a bike for most of his life, and broke at least one sizeable speed limit (he got a speeding ticket!) while doing so.
When he was about 50, he discovered a new sport to excel in, and started weight training.
Training 5 days a week for the next 35 years, Clay was very strong for his size, easily lifting 250 pounds repeatedly. Right up to the day he went into hospital, Clay cut his own firewood and shovelled snow with speed and purpose that was the envy of men 25 years younger.
Clay worked at many jobs before and after moving to Williams Lake, including many years working as a parts man at Lake City Ford, driving the city bus, and truck driving, always doing whatever was necessary to provide for his family.
He was also involved in business, with him and Karen being co-owners of the local Alston movie theatre for years, and founding partners of Paradise Cinemas: "movie night" has special meaning to the Myers family. We saw how many friends Dad had when we would make an outing with him downtown, waiting around while he chatted with people—Clay was always up for a conversation.
Through it all, Clay made his family his number one priority: he was always there for us, and for our friends. It is with great pride that we say Clay loved his kids so much that many of their friends were, and still are, welcomed into the Myers home as family.
Late in life, Clay (who was adopted) found his birth family. He met several of his siblings and instantly became close with them. Sisters Donna and Marilyn (with husband Henry) came to visit Clay and his family in Williams Lake, and he, Karen, and Shel made a trip to a family reunion in Saskatchewan, for which he was forever grateful.
Family meant everything to Clay. He taught his children everything they know about how to be good and decent human beings. Clay's motto was "help people whenever you can": those who benefited from this approach will miss him tremendously, especially those of us who enjoyed his warm fires, generous drinks, and clear sidewalks.
Clay is survived by his loving wife, Karen; children Charlene, Jordan (Ardis), and Shel (Carmen); grandchildren Sascha, Alexa, and Julian; sisters Donna and Marilyn; his niece and nephews and other extended family and, by our conservative estimate, hundreds of friends. Clay was predeceased by his infant son, Darwin; son-in-law, Darwyn; parents, Charles and Elsie; sister Dee and brother Ron.
A public celebration of Clay's life will be planned in the future, when gatherings are permitted. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes may donate to a memorial bench the family plans to place in a sunny location in Clay's memory. Peacefully soaking up the sun was one of Clay's greatest pleasures in life; the serenity and long life it brought him is an example for us all.
"Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows."
We will love and miss him forever.