Coeburn, VA ~ Frank B. Clay Sr., 85, died Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, Tennessee.
Mr. Clay was a retired coal miner of Clinchfield Coal Co., a member of the United Mine Workers of America, Coeburn Masonic Lodge #97 and also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Coeburn.
He served as a paratrooper in the Army during World War II and served with the 101st Airborne Division. He parachuted into Normandy France on D-Day and also jumped in Holland where his company was surrounded by Germans and fought in the Battle of The Bulge. He received three Presidential Citations, 4 Arrows for 4 major battles, Also Croixde Guerre from France and the Bronze Star for bravery. He spent 5 years in the Army, 2 ½ years in the European War Zone.
Mr. Clay was very active in the Democratic Party, served on the Wise County Board of Supervisors from 1984 - 1987, served on the advisory board of Division of Mined Land Reclamation and also the Wise County Public Service Authority.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gordon Edmondson and Rebecca Miller Clay, sisters, Frances Clay Pritchard & Marion Clay Shortt.
Survivors include his wife, Martha C. Clay; son, Frank B. Clay, Jr., Coeburn; son & daughter-in-law, James D. & Mary Alice Clay, Coeburn; sister, Elizabeth Honeycutt, AL; several nephews & nieces.

Mass of the Resurrection for Frank B. Clay, Sr. will be celebrated Thursday, March 20, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Tom Collins officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Coeburn.Visitation will be held at Estes Funeral Home on Wednesday after 6:00 P.M. where a Masonic evening service will be held at 7 PM. Pound VFW Post 9600 will perform military graveside rites.