Henry Clay Stallworth

Henry Clay Stallworth, aged 88, passed away April 16, 2025, of a brief illness, after suffering a stroke the previous November. Clay, as he was known, is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Jan, whom he utterly adored, as well as his two sons, Clay Stallworth (Leila) of Augusta, GA and Will Stallworth of Makawao, HI, and granddaughters Helen Wisniewski (Glenn), Lucy Stallworth, Abigail Stallworth, and Ainsley Stallworth.

Clay was born April 7, 1937, in Bremen, GA, the youngest of six children of the late Asa (Sr.) and Jeanette Nash Stallworth, with siblings Robert, Asa Jr., John, Elizabeth, and Nancy already deceased. He excelled in sports, lettering in football and making the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class C All-State team in 1954. He served his beloved country in the Army in Okinawa, Japan, then graduated from the University of Richmond (BA Chemistry, ‘63). His early career led him to Findlay, OH, where he married the love of his life, Janice Schutz, in 1967. They raised their sons in a loving home, living in La Grange Park, IL, Baton Rouge, LA, Walnut Creek, CA and Spring, TX, before moving in retirement to St. Simons Island, GA, in 2000 and more recently to Augusta, GA.

The majority of his career was spent with Nalco Chemical Company, rising through the ranks, from salesman to general manager. He had a knack for applying his knowledge of chemistry to anticipate difficulties his customers might encounter in the water treatment and petroleum refining industries. His managerial gift was his ability to identify talented, industrious people, provide them with what they needed to perform, and then give them the freedom and encouragement to shine. He and Jan made lasting friendships everywhere they lived along the way.

Curious and inquisitive his entire life, Clay taught himself to sail and paint and loved music and outdoor sports like hunting and fishing. He was a natural at activities such as water skiing and diving, surprising younger people when he was in his 40’s by casually doing backflips off the diving board at the local pool. His family misses his habit of singing obscure songs from long ago, his proclivity for making up silly nonsense words, and his clever sense of humor. He led a full life, and he is already greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that a gift in his memory be made to the church that he loved, and where he was a faithful member for 25 years, Christ Church, Frederica, 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. www.ccfssi.org.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484.