Highly Decorated WWII pilot (born in Springfield) passed away in Port St. Lucie, FL on Friday, January 4
William Clayton Heaton was truly a member of the greatest generation, serving as a pilot of the 463rd Bomb Group, flying out of Foggia, Italy during WWII. He earned a Purple Heart for being wounded when his plane and crew were heavily fired upon over Germany. He also received 5 Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, European Operations Ribbon, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and a legislative citation from the State of WV recognizing that he had been nominated for the Distinguished Flying Cross.
HEATON, William Clayton was born in Springfield, TN, on March 14, 1922, to the late Lloyd and Annie Lou (Morgan) Heaton. Clayton was also preceded in death by sisters Ann Lloyd Stuart and Minnie Mae Webster and brother Hiram Ralph Heaton.
One of Smokey’s String Logic Internet scanners picked up this story out of Weirton, WV. It seems William moved away a long time ago but we thought someone may have known him or his family.
To read the FULL article on the The Intelligencer CLICK HERE
Jim Ball reporting January 8, 2013
