Clarence Evan “Sam” Lay of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, formerly of Salem, Illinois, passed away on August 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was born November 20, 1942, in Bourbon, Missouri to Clarence Otto & Bessie Osborn Lay.
Sam married Sharon Sue “Susee” Brown in Houston, Missouri in 1961. They later divorced. He then married Barbara Wahl on May 18, 1989, in Jacksonville, Illinois. She preceded him in death in February 2008. He later married Sally Beckman on October 11, 2012, in Panama City Beach, Florida. She survives in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Sam was raised in Houston, Missouri where he graduated high school in 1960. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Science in 1966 from Southwest Missouri State University and his Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration in 1968 from Washington University.
He enjoyed a long career of 40-plus years in Hospital Administration at hospitals in Decatur, Illinois; St. Joseph, Missouri; Jacksonville, Illinois; Salem, Illinois; Potosi, Missouri and Lawrenceville, Illinois. He was also the Executive Director of the Salem Community Activities Center and co-owner of Salem Flowers & Greenhouse.
In his early years, Sam was an avid owner of MG’s and loved doing car shows with his son Dane. He loved working in the yard, tending to his plants, and watching sunsets on his back deck in Tennessee. He loved playing board games and card games with his grandson Aaden and was excitedly anticipating the birth of his second grandchild in December.
Sam is survived by his wife Sally of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, son Dane Lay (Tammy) of Thayer, Illinois, and daughters Allison Rostance (Aaron) of Salem, Illinois, and Brianna Rooney (fiancé Austin Murphy) of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Grandson Aaden Rostance of Salem, Illinois & Baby Murphy of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, expected in December, also survive.
Visitation for Clarence Evan “Sam” Lay will be held from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem, with a Celebration of Life service to immediately follow at 6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Vanderbilt Palliative Care, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.CrouseFH.com.
