William “Clayton” Childress, 94, of Kernersville went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 25, 2024. He was born to the late Grover Hastings Childress and Flora Bell Bledsoe Childress on February 18, 1930.  He was saved at the age of 20yrs old at the Jonesville Church of God and was a faithful member of Waughtown Street Church of God (The Rock Church), which was later rebuilt down the road and became Parkview Church of God. He served as a Sunday School teacher, church clerk, janitor, sang tenor in the choir, and was a beloved member of the Senior Quartet alongside his dear friends Kent Moses, George Mabe and Doris Murray. Clayton worked at Thomasville Furniture for 30+ yrs. After he retired, he enjoyed participating in flea markets where he would wheel and deal, yet always manage to come home with more items than he sold. For many years, Clayton and his wife, Nettie, produced a plentiful garden, growing some of the best fruits and vegetables, especially “tommy toe tomatoes,” that were his granddaughter’s favorite. They shared the fruits of their garden labor with family, friends, and neighbors. He and Nettie were always faithful to visit nursing homes, the sick, and shut ins. Many were led to salvation because Clayton never met a stranger and would talk to anyone, anywhere. His favorite musical instrument was a harmonica; he kept one in his shirt pocket and took it everywhere he went, playing at any given opportunity. Rest assured, if there was not an opportunity, he would create one.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters: Mae Dodson, Mittie Sizemore, Bertha Holt, and Geneva Pendry; three brothers, Clifton (Clip) Childress, Bausie Childress, and Leonard Childress. 

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Nettie Childress; one sister, Madelene Holbrook; two sons: Mike (Cindy) Childress and Danny (Terri) Childress; four grandchildren: Scott Childress, Clay Childress, Drew (Allyson) Childress, and Hannah Childress; three great grandchildren: Tyler Childress, Alyson Childress, and Cohen Childress, who affectionately called him “Grandpa Great”; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 28 from 5-7pm at Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services located at 213 West Mountain Street in Kernersville, NC. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 29 at 1:00pm at Parkview Church of God located at 3263 Kernersville Road in Winston Salem, officiated by Pastors Eddie Brewer and Bobby Dishman. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. 

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com