Feb. 4, 1932 – May 19, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for James Albert “Sonny Boy” Clay Sr., 85, of Zachary, La., formerly of Natchez, who died Friday, May 19, 2017, in Zachary, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Road, with the Rev. Walter Sago officiating.

Burial will follow at Mercy Seat Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. today at the funeral home with a celebration of life wake service at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Clay was born Feb. 4, 1932, in Adams County, the son of Sylvester Clay Sr. and Emma Watson Pollard.

He was a graduate of St. Francis High School and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965. After his service in the Army, he returned to Natchez and worked with the City of Natchez in the sanitation and water works departments until he retired in 1996.

Mr. Clay loved to putter around his home — performing a number of chores. He was a family man who cherished the time he spent with them.

Mr. Clay was preceded in death by his wife, Lydia Woods Clay; one son, Michael Clay; his parents; two sisters, Emma Pollard and Cora Pollard; and two brothers, Sylvester Clay Jr. and Roosevelt Clay.

Survivors include three sons, James Clay and wife, Linda, Riley Clay and wife, Mary, and Keny Clay and wife, Angela; two daughters, Chriscella Clay and Monica Clay Morris and husband, Michael; 18 grandchildren, Melvin Mason, Christopher Johnson, Stephanie Seaberry, Jamie Clay, Lydia Clay, James Clay, Britney Thomas, Branton Thomas, Lavanya Clay-Nicholson, Tonique Clay-Blanchard, Cassie Clay-Fluker, Riley Clay Jr., Kawami “Ricki” Clay, Justin Clay, Chriscella “Lee” Clay, Meredith Morris, Clay Morris and Jackson Morris; a number of great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Online condolences may be sent to westgatefh.com.