Sollon Clayton Wilson, Jr. "Clay" passed away at the age of 73, early Monday morning, January 26th 2009 . He was fallen by a heart attack in his home in Valrico , Florida . Clay was one of five children, born to Sollon and Ethel Wilson of Tampa , Florida on July 26, 1935 . Son of a machinist and welder, Clay was brought up with a very strong work ethic. When duty called, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 at the age of 16. After graduating from artillery OCS and airborne school he joined the 101st Airborne Division. He served tours of duty in Germany , and combat tours in Korea and Vietnam . His awards and decorations included, master jump wings, bronze star, and numerous other awards. While home on leave he met the love of his life, 1959's Ms. Eckerd Drug Allene Oler, during the Gasparilla festival and have lived their lives together ever since. He retired after 20 years of faithful service as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1971. He received his B.S. in business from Cameron College in Lawton , Oklahoma in 1972. He then moved his family from Ft. Sill , Oklahoma to Temple Terrace , Florida where he worked as General Superintendant for a commercial construction company. Clay was always good with his hands and provided extra income for his family by doing side jobs as a mason, building fireplaces and mailboxes on the weekends. His mailbox work can still be seen at his previous house on Whiteway Drive in Temple Terrace . In 1979 Clay moved his family again to Stafford , Virginia to further his career in the commercial construction industry. Clay always had a project of some sort aside from the daily routines of his job. Whether it was building his own home in Stafford , helping his kids with additions to their homes, or helping out a neighbor, Clay was always getting his hands dirty. The disarray of his garage was always a point of contention with his wife, and a workshop to anyone who needed a hand. In 1997 he finally hung up his tool belt and retired from his second career. With the kids all grown up and out of the nest, Clay and Allene moved back to his childhood home state of Florida . They settled in Valrico Florida and enjoyed bragging about the warm weather to their kids back up north. In his settled life he enjoyed the occasional evening out with his wife at the local Chilli's, reading the news and taking care of their 2 dogs and a stray cat that only seemed to like him. Clay had always had a fondness of animals and would as soon let the bee sting him than swat it away. For a man of great stature he had a gentle kindness when it came to God's creatures. Always with a colorful vernacular, Clay could tell you anything that was going on in the world at any time. He was never short on opinions and was very well read on current events in politics and the business world alike. His outgoing personality made him easy to talk with and his ability to listen and provide a very broad shoulder made him endearing to everyone. His pace was deliberate but never rushed. His temper was to be feared but rarely seen. His affections for his family were never in doubt. A loving family man to the end he is survived by his wife Allene, daughters Carlotta, Johnnie, Patty, Merry, Sherry, Susan, and his sons Michael and Mark. Clay was blessed with 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Clay is also survived by his brother Bob and his two sisters Pat and Margie. A service will be held at Serenity Meadows, 6919 Providence Rd. , Riverview , Florida on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 . There will be a quiet greeting session from 12pm to 1pm and a memorial at 1pm. Thank you to all who expressed their well wishes and blessings. His presence will be missed and remembered dearly. Husband, Father and Friend.