Clayton Slater, 1924-2014

Published 9:00 am Sunday, June 22, 2014

Clayton R. Slater, 90, formerly of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2014, in Milwaukee. Memorial services were on June 16 at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay in Whitefish Bay, Wis. The Rev. Richard Whitaker officiated.

Clayton Slater

Clayton was born April 12, 1924, in Bancroft to G. W. “Will” Slater and Carrie Jensen. Clayton married Pauline “Polly” Collins on Feb. 4, 1946, and together they raised three children.

Clayton was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving both in the Atlantic and the Pacific after which he returned to Albert Lea with his growing family and worked 42 years for Wilson Meat Packing Company.

After retiring, Clayton and Polly wintered in Mission, Texas, eventually moving full-time to Columbia, S.C., to be near their son and two of their grandchildren. Last December they moved to Milwaukee to be closer to daughter, Nancy.

An avid camper and dedicated family man, Clayton and his wife started the Crossroad Campers, a local chapter of the NCHA. He was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea, where he served as an elder, a deacon and trustee.

Clayton is survived by his wife of 68 years, Polly; three children, Steve (Louise Rogers) of Columbia, Kathy (Mike Noa) of Hackettstown, N.J., and Nancy (Larry O’Toole) of Mequon, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Chris O’Toole (Stacy), Cari West (Mike), Ross O’Toole, Jay O’Toole (Kate), Jennifer Slater, Clayton Slater (Glynna) and Luke Slater; and six great-grandchildren, who lovingly referred to Clayton as their “GG Papa,” Adrienna and Samantha West, Will and Bryce O’Toole and Elliot and Esme O’Toole; brother, Ken Slater (Lilah), and numerous nieces and nephews.