Joseph William Claxton, Sr., 91, passed away at 8:05 a.m. Sunday, January 6, 2019 at his home.
Born May 6, 1927 in Villa Ridge, IL, he was a son of Ralph and Cleo (Webb) Claxton.
He married Helen Louise Spurgeon on June 25, 1949 in Bethalto. She passed away Jan. 4, 2016.
Joseph worked as an estimator and salesman for Great Central Lumber Co. for over 35 years. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was a member of the Alton VFW Post #1308 as well as the Bethalto Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include a daughter, Carolyn Susan (Neil) Hawkins of Godfrey; a son, Joseph William Claxton, Jr. of East Alton; 6 grandchildren, Joseph, Tanor (Heather), Joshua and Tyler Claxton, Jennifer (Jeremy) Dunham, and Benjamin (Jessica) Hawkins; two great grandchildren, Jaxon Dunham and Brinley Hawkins; and his sister-in-law, Rose Beiermann of Bethalto.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Claxton and three brothers, Leonard, Leon and Eugene Claxton.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 9 at Paynic Home for Funerals from 9 a.m. until services begin at 11 a.m. Father Donald Wolford will officiate.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Alton.
Memorials may be made to OSF St. Anthony's Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.
An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com