FAYETTE – Clayton G. Wilkins, 83, of Lovejoy Shores, Fayette, passed away at home in the company of family on Saturday, Sept. 13, just one day prior to his 84th birthday.

He was born on Sept. 14, 1924, in Derby, the son of George and Clara (Hatto) Wilkins. He attended school in Canaan prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1944, and serving two years in the Pacific.

After the war he attended Hemphill Diesel Engineering school in New York City before settling in Livermore Falls to raise a family. He and his wife, the former Arlene Coombs, raised six children together and still found time to operate a family business, first a farm and later, Breezy Acres Trailer Park.

During the 36 years he was employed by International Paper Co., he also served his community as a volunteer firefighter, Civil Defense director, deputy sheriff and school board member. After retiring from his position as Power Plant Maintenance Analyst in 1985, he enjoyed building his lakefront retirement home and traveling extensively, visiting family and seeing sights all across the country.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Arlene Wilkins of Fayette; a son, Craig Wilkins and his wife, Cynthia, of Apex, N.C.; daughters, Bev Tanaka and her husband, Randy. of Honolulu, Hawaii, Cheryl Shuttleworth of Portland, Trudy Barclay and her husband, Barry, of Fayette, Wendy Richards and her husband, Gib, of Wahiawa, Hawaii, Linda Wilkins and her husband, Bob Dane, of Alexandria, Va.; grandchildren, Derek, Casey, Lindsay, Andrew, Jennifer, Valerie, Benjamin, Katelyn and Kenny; great-grandchildren, Brittany, Kenneth, London, Soleil, Lilianna, Bradley, Emily, Zachary and Lauren; three sisters, Henrietta Newbecker, Wilda McKewen and Eva Smalley; many special nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, James Wilkins; and a great-grandson, Zachary Steeb.