Frank R. "Red" Claytor, 89, of Simmons Circle, Princeton, departed the life early, Friday morning, July 13, 2012 wearing a smile and rejoicing in his heart. Born Nov. 28, 1922, in Detroit, Mich., he was the son of the late Frank R. Claytor Sr. and Yvonne Roby Claytor. Frank had proudly served with the U.S. Marine Corp and was a veteran of World War II. Frank was retired from the Mercer County Board of Education with 30 years of service. While his health permitted, Frank was an active member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge 1459 in Princeton, he was Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge of Princeton and for many years, was Director of the Bluefield Drum & Bugle Corp. Frank was the Director for many years of the AAA trips for all the grades schools in Mercer County for its Safety patrol Students making their annual trips to Washington D.C. and to Gettysburg, Pa. One of his most proud accomplishments was the Director of the West Virginia Elks Handicap Camp for Children for over 20 years. He was a beloved member of Bethel United Methodist Church near Princeton. Frank held a life membership in the Princeton Lions Club and was a Past President. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Eve Claytor Smith; his brother, Charles "Chuck" Claytor and Amanda Woods. He will be lovingly remembered by his significant other of 29 years, Virginia "Ginny" Hansbarger of Princeton; his daughter, Karen Westover of Odenton Md.; a sister, Charlotte Romberger of Williamstown, Pa.; his only grandchild, Marc Carter and wife, Nina of Naples, Fla. to whom he dearly loved, Ginny's; daughter, Debbie Childers and her son, Christopher Woods; his faithful furry friend, Rosie. Services for Frank Claytor will be held 2 p.m., Monday, July 16, 2012 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Casper Dalton officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. The West Virginia Honor Guard will conduct military graveside rites. Serving as pallbearers will be J.W. Howell, John Scott Jr., Ron Harris, Kenny Monk, Richard Godfrey and Stanley Gunter. Dr. Stan Robertson will serve as an honorary pallbearer. The Claytor family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph