Clayton William Born Jr.

Clayton W. (Bill) Born Jr. was born June 1, 1945, to Clayton Born Sr. and Doris Storer Born in Marion, Ohio. He died January 7, 2025, after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. 

Bill was a member of Elgin High School’s first graduating class in 1963. He played football, basketball and baseball. He intended to play basketball at Ohio Northern University, walked by tryouts for the play ‘Androcles and the Lion’ and ended up in the play instead. After graduating from Ohio Northern and coursework elsewhere, Bill held teaching, coaching and administrative positions at Elgin, Pleasant, Marion City Schools, Ridgedale, Kenton, and Buckeye Valley. He also served the Pleasant Local Schools community as school board president for 16 years. After retirement, Bill enjoyed traveling with his wife Rena, visiting Alaska, Branson, Florida, Montreal, San Francisco, and everywhere in between. He loved sports, particularly Ohio State football and Major League Baseball. He visited as many MLB stadiums as he was able before his illness. He’d be the first to tell you he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but he loved music from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, and that love stayed with him until nearly the very end. Bill was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, where he had served on the board of trustees and as a liturgist. 

He is survived by his wife, Rena Baker Born, of Marion; daughter Jeanna Kelley (Chris) of Acworth, Ga., son Ryan Born (Michele) of Radnor, Ohio, grandchildren Ashley and Chelsea Thomas of Gainesville, Ga. and Ava and Matt Born and daughter-in-law Julie Born of Springfield, Ohio, and brother Clint Born (Mona) of Cave Creek, Arizona. 

Calling hours will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church in Marion, Ohio on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served following the memorial and all who attend are welcome. 

The family would like to offer our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the kindness and care of the wonderful staff at Embassy Community Memory Care, Marion and Tranquility Hospice of Delaware, as well as Deputy Jesse Allen of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to Project Lifesaver, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, 100 Executive Drive, Marion, Ohio 43302 or Kingston Adult Daycare, 464 James Way, Marion, Ohio 43302.