Fletcher Paul Lay, 87, of Clinton peacefully passed away July 7th. Fletcher is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Nell Lay and his loving daughter, Joan Lay Turnbill. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Yvonne Foster Lay; daughter, Debbie Lay Bowman and son-in-law Aaron of Jacksonville, FL; grandsons Steve Turnbill (wife Jessica Desmond Turnbill) and Blaise Bowman; and great granddaughter Mary Ruth Turnbill; and sister Joyce Gilbert (husband Rev. George Gilbert).
Fletcher was born and raised in East Tennessee. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1948, married Yvonne in 1949. He began serving in the Army in 1950 and was discharged as a Reserve Warrant Officer in 1955. Following his service, he was County Judge J.D. Yarnell's Officer Manager until he was appointed as the Director of Accounts and Budgets for Anderson County in 1961. In 1966 he left county government and moved into a new role as an accountant for the Rust Engineering Company and later MK Ferguson at Y-12. Fletcher retired after 27 years at Y-12 and remained active with his family enjoying gardening and being outside.
Throughout his life he was always active in church and was a long time member of Ridgeview Baptist Church. He was also a member of the South Clinton Lions Club and recently was a Board Member of the Clinton Housing Authority.
The family will receive friends Monday, July 11th from 6:00-8:00 pm with a funeral service to follow at Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton. Graveside service will be Tuesday, July 12th at 10:00 am at Sunset Cemetery, Clinton. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.holleygamble.com