From
Taft, Clay headed into the US Navy during World War II where he served in the
Pacific as a petty officer.
He graduated from Northern Illinois Univ. in 1949 and later did graduate work at
Northern and the Univ. of Illinois in Speech Education. He served as chairman of
the Speech Dept., Lincoln, IL 1949-1951, taught and coached speech activities.
In 1979 he served as Chairman of the Legislative
Conference held in Springfield
at the request of NIU.
He headed the Clayton E. Mott & Assoc. Ins. Agency and Jet Car Rental Inc. He
was named a Living Legend in Des Plaines for his community leadership, including
the Masons, chairing the Des Plaines Mass Transit District, organizing the Des
Plaines Jaycees, heading the Maine West Dads' Club, and the Car and Truck Rental
& Leasing Association.
Inspired by Taft’s 50th Anniversary, he organized multi-class reunions where
1940s alumni could reestablish friendships.
Clayton died in 2008.