Lee Clayton

Walter L. "Lee" Clayton, age 86, passed away at Prairie Gate in Council Bluffs on February 13, 2026.

He was born on April 5, 1939 to the late Walter James and Darlene (Jacobsen) Clayton in Audubon County, Iowa. Lee graduated from Exira High School. He married Shirley Sultzer on June 10, 1962 and was blessed with 2 daughters, Pam and Kathy.

Lee worked for Northern Natural Gas and retired after 24 years of service. After retiring, he and Shirley formed their own Company and went back to work for Northern. They also owned L and S Catering with their family for 11 years. Lee belonged to the Oakland Fire and Rescue for 24 years, serving as Fire Chief for 3 years and Secretary/Treasurer for the Ambulance Department, plus being a First Responder. Lee served 8 years with the National Guard and was Rainbow Dad for many years. He liked working in his garage and tinkering with all kinds of projects. His joy was working on his tractor and going on tractor rides. Lee was a longtime member of Salem Methodist Church.

Lee and Shirley loved to Square Dance and through the years they traveled to all 50 states, except for Hawaii. They also traveled to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The love of his life was his family. Lee will be so missed by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Pam (Peter) Danker and Kathy (fiancé Joe Whitehill) VanRiper; 5 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Saturday, February 21, 2026. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 AM. Inurnment of his cremated remains will take place that afternoon in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Oakland, Iowa. Memorials are suggested to Oakland Fire and Rescue.