Clayton A. Weist age 96 of Princeton died Wednesday June 1, 2005 at the Gibson General Hospital in Princeton.

He was born Sept. 1, 1908 in Princeton the son the Andy and Libbie (Elsfelder) Weist.

Clayton retired as Principal of Princeton Community High School in 1973 after serving in that capacity for 22 years. Clayton attended Baldwin Heights School, and graduated from Princeton High School in 1926 where he played football, basketball, and baseball and served on the Student Council. He then attended Wabash College where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He played football, and baseball 4 years, and basketball for 2 years. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, elected to Blue Key, president of Athletic Counsel and the Sphinx Club. He later recieved a Masters Degree in Education from Indiana University.

Clayton began teaching at Princeton High School in 1938 teaching Biology and was head coach of the Football and Basketball teams and Assistant Coach of the Baseball team. In 1941 he joined the Army, returning in 1946 to teach and coach before becoming principle in 1951. Clayton joined the Indiana National Guard in 1925 where he became a 2nd Lieutenant, during W.W. II, he served as a First Lieutenant in the Third U.S. Army. He served under General Patton and General Bradley in Europe, where he participated in four major battles. For his service he received a Certificate of Merit- European Theater of Operations and he received the Cite a’ l’Ordre Award from General de Gaulle. Upon returning he continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserves where he retired as Colonel in 1964 

Clayton was a member of the Broadway Christian Church where he served as Deacon, Elder, Church Board, and Treasurer. He was a member of the American Legion Post 25, V.F.W. Post 1147, Prince Lodge 321 F&A.M., Kiwanis Club where he served as President and Treasurer, member of the Retired Teachers Association serving as President for 17 years. He received a Southern Indiana Principal Association Award in 1973, an Outstanding Service to Retired Teachers Award in 1975. In 1979 he was inducted in to the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, received a Prince of Princeton Award. In 1982 he was one of the first original inductee’s into the Wabash College Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Clayton is survived a son and daughter-in-law Robert and Nancy Weist, Danville, Il, daughter and son-in-law; Sharon and David Grayson, Vincennes, IN ; 3 grandchildren Tim Weist, Andrew Grayson and Kathryn Grayson, 1 great grandchild Brenden Grayson, 2 nieces Betty Jo Adams and Becky Roberson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary E. Weist in 1988, parents, brothers and sisters, Myrtle Davison, Roy Weist, Minnie Cline, Margaret “Mag” Phillips and Frank Weist. 

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Colvin Funeral Home with the Rev. John Dunn officiating, burial will be in the Columbia “White” Church Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Colvin Funeral Home 3 until 7 p.m. Friday, where there will be a Masonic Memorial Service at 7 p.m. Friday. V.F.W. Post 1147 will conduct Military Graveside Services.