Clayton Spencer Buchholz

Obituary Clayton Spencer Buchholz Clayton Spencer Buchholz (Sam), passed peacefully at home on May 9, 2009. Clayton precede in death by his wife of 60 years, Lois and by 4 brothers, Harvey, Leonard, Franklin, Robert and 3 sisters, Violet, Alice and Lois Ann. Survivors include: sons Clayton (Sharon) and Dennis (Kathy); grandchildren Natasha, Layne, Daric and Aaron; brothers Maurice (Gloria), Herb, Howard (Valerie), sisters Helen Sawall and Donna Jean (Chet) Burton, sister-in-law Margaret Buchholz and numerous nieces and nephews. Clayton served in WWII with the 3rd infantry division, 7th regiment as a technical sergeant and was in the first wave of the invastion of North Africa in late 1942. He fought at Anzio Beach in Italy and in France. He received the Broze Star, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, the French Cross of War, numerous other service metals and turned down a field commission. Leaving the service, he joined the Tacoma Police Department. He rode motorcycles for 18 years and served with the Department for 35 years. He was a past president of the Tacoma Police Union. He had many fine partners on the force including his life long buddy, Bob Yerbury. Clayton's brother, Maurice, served as a Captain on the Tacoma Police Department. Clayton was born on 10/23/18 in Fairwater, Wisconsin to Frank and Helen Buchholz. He previously served in the Wisconsin National Guard from 1939 to 1942. He met his future wife, Lois in Tacoma and married at Ft. Ord. Along the journey Clayton had many good friends including Jack Harris and Pat McMurtry. He was honored to serve as a police escort for Presidents Eisenhower and Truman and General Mark Clark. He enjoyed volunteer work at Visitation Church and at the Veterans Hospital in Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. A Graveside Service will be held Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 10:00 am at Tahoma National Cemetery. Interment at Tahoma National Cemetery.