Our loving father, Clayton R. Sheets, passed away peacefully at the BeeHive Homes in Helena at the age 87 on January 2 , 2021, after suffering from a stroke in September 2018.
Clayton was born on March 27, 1933, in Silesia, Montana, to Homer and Mildred Sheets. He had a sister, Eileen, and brother, Raymond. The family later moved to Laurel, Montana, where he attended Laurel High School. There he met Shirley Collins. After graduating from high school, they married in 1953. They later moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where Clayton was stationed in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956. He was honorably discharged in Jacksonville, Florida.
Clayton later attended the University of Montana in Missoula, MT, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Clayton went to work for Galusha, Higgins and Galusha Accounting Firm for 10 years in Helena. Then started his own accounting firm in 1968 (Clayton Sheets, LPA). He retired at age 66 and sold his accounting business to Van Barron. He continued in a business partnership with friend, Loren Davis, at Davis & Sheets Rentals until the Larson Block was sold in 2012.
Clayton was an active advocate and supporter of the Boyd Andrew Center, where he donated his time for many years. He was a member of the Helena Lion’s Club, the American Legion of Montana, the Masonic Lodge of Laurel, the Helena Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, the Algerian Lodge of Helena, the Helena Jaycees, and the Montana Society of Licensed Public Accountants. He served on the Board of Military Affairs Committee and spent many years caring for the Lion’s Sunshine camp near Elliston, MT.
Clayton was well known for being an avid gardener and taking pride in caring for his many trees, flowers and beautiful yards. He remodeled and fixed up the five homes he owned over different times in the Helena area. He enjoyed shooting with his sons and grandchildren and hunting with his sons and friends. He had many friends and most always greeted them with a smile. He fished in Alaska with his friend Bill Booher, attended Grizzly football games with Bill Mercer and other friends, and spent time with his friend, Bob Holstine. Included in his many friendships were Colleen Weast, Bob Quinn, Bob Chamberlain, Dan Sturdavent, Lee Hanson and cousin, Dan Freund, with whom he shared many pranks.
He loved floating the Smith and Blackfoot rivers in Montana as well as camping and boating at Canyon Ferry, Seeley and Flathead Lakes. He enjoyed taking his family to visit his sister, Eileen, and brother- in-law, Don Shay, at their farm near Big Timber. The family often took trips to Laurel and Billings to visit their extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. Clayton’s favorite family outings were spent renting a cabin at McLeod Hot Springs with the family for a week in the summer, visiting Yellowstone National Park and spending time at the family cabin at Seeley Lake that he and Shirley bought in the 1970s. He couldn’t sit still at the cabin for five minutes because he usually had too many projects he wanted to complete.
Clayton is survived by his daughter, Patricia Forte (Patti Sheets) of Victoria, BC, and his three sons, Jim Sheets (Cindy) from Helena; Bob Sheets (Amy) from Colorado and Bill Sheets (Judy) from Bozeman.
His grandchildren are: Sarah Rose Eggen from Bozeman, Kaylene Ard (Reuben) from Helena, Westley Sheets (Kristy) from Michigan, Leah Sheets from Oregon, Abby Sheets from Bozeman, and Kaliana and Kelton Forte from Victoria, BC.
Great Grandchildren are: Gaven Ereth and Eiley, Gema and Gracelyn Sheets.
Nieces and nephews are: Tim Shay, Gail Wilson, Susan Olson, Debbie Sorg, and Terry Shay.
He is also survived by his loving Great Pyrenees dog, Pawsie!
Clayton is predeceased by his parents, Homer and Mildred Sheets of Laurel, Shirley Palmer and Rosemary Erickson of Helena, brother Raymond Sheets and sister Eileen Shay.
Clayton was always happy to see his children, grandchildren, and friends and welcomed them into his home. He will be deeply missed by many!
The family would like to thank the BeeHive Homes of Helena and St .Peter’s Hospice for Clayton’s care.
Memorials or donations in Clayton’s name may be sent to St. Peter’s Hospice of Helena.
The Celebration of his Life will be at Retz Funeral Home, 315 East 6th Avenue, Helena, MT, at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2021. The burial and honor guard will be held at The National Military Cemetery of Laurel, MT at a later date.
To view Clayton’s memorial service remotely via Zoom meetings, please use the information below:
Topic: Clayton Sheets Memorial Service
Time: Jan 22, 2021 02:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
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Tom Naegele says
God Bless and R I P Lion Clayton. We have been honored to know and share time with you! Until We meet again.
Respectfully, Tom Naegele
Tim and Patti Borsberry says
It’s with heavy heart, but faithful acceptance, that we receive news of Clayton’s passing. Knowing him to love his Lord, we know he’s at peace. He was like a second Dad to Tim; in many ways. HIs word was usually direct but his heart held a lot of love. We bought the family home in 1988. It was a terrific place and yard to raise a family. It holds many neighborhood memories for his family and ours. We send peace to his families and loved ones (fortunately counting ourselves in the clan).
In blessing and comfort,
Tim and Patti Borsberry
Jane Culler says
I had known Clayton for many years and had the opportunity to work with his office in my early years with Davis Business Machines. I send my sincere condolences to the family during this time of loss. May the Lord bless you all.
Jane Culler
Tom Erving says
Growing up across the street from the Sheets family was quite an experience. It was a great neighborhood with a lot of great families. I have watched all four kids grow up. Patty, Jimmy, Bobby and Billy. I reunited with them at their mom’s funeral, and they all turned out great. Clayton would be so proud. I enjoyed running into Clayton through the years, he always remembered who I was. He never changed, was such a good guy and neighbor.
My sincere sympathy and prayers to Patty, Jimmy, Bobby and Billy.
Your old neighbor, Tom Erving
Joan Andrews says
Dear Patti ~ Your Dad was always kind to me and so pleasant to be around. You are very lucky to have had him with you and your family throughout the years. My love and best to you all ~ Joani Andrews
Kim Holstine Parvinen says
My thoughts and prayers to you all. Clayton was such a kind man. He was a great friend to my dad, and when dad passed away he looked over us. He will be greatly missed by many. God Bless you all and may your memories outweigh your sorrows.
ron shields says
We still remember our trip down the Colorado Grand Canyon. Ron & Addie Shields
John & Cherie Dahl says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Lots of memories from our Jaycees Days :pray:
Colleen Weast says
An absolutely wonderful man!! Many special memories; feeling sad and sending much love to all the family.
Colleen
LAWRENCE BRESE says
Skeeter and I joined the navy together in May of 52.Don’t remember when friendship started; in school and on the football field I imagine.Last time I saw him was in the early 80s’ when my wife and I were in Helena visiting Murry,and he took us to Clayton and Shirleys cabin.He was always game for a prank.
Dale Chamberlain says
To the Sheets family. Clayton was a great man and even a better friend to our parents. Bob and Clayton always had a smile on their face especially when headed out to the lake to troll, or at least that is what they said they were going to do. Our best to all of you.
Dale Chamberlain
Anonymous says
Simply Lily was purchased for the family of Clayton Sheets.
Addrien Marx says
Clayton always had a smile and I know he was thrilled when his kids would come and fill the cabin with 4th of July festivities, wood stacking, tree cutting, fixing up the place, and just taking off with toys to enjoy on the lake or elsewhere! Good days, and I will look forward to seeing you when you return and we can gather and toast to Clayton and share more good times over looking “our creek”! My Very Best, Addrien