Clayton Briden

William C. (Clayton) Briden, Jr, 79, a retired GM Dealer died July 30, 2013, at the Benefis Peace Hospice of natural causes.   Services will be Monday (Aug. 5) at 2:00 p.m. at the Valier United Methodist Church with Pastor Dolly Collins officiating.  Arrangements are under the care of Whitted Funeral Chapel.

Clayton was born on June 18, 1934, in Valier to William C. (Clayton) Sr. and Annie Kowcun Briden.  He was educated in Valier and graduated in 1952.  He entered the auto business in 1952 and retired in 1993.  He was very active in the Valier community, serving on the bank board, school board, airport board, volunteer fire department, volunteer ambulance, and community club.  He also was involved with the Montana Auto Dealers Association, Triangle Dealers Association, and was an avid pilot.

Clayton and Myrna Mozer were married in June, 1953.  To this union three children were born, Brett, Toni Ann and Keith.  Clayton and Myrna later divorced.  In 1995, Clayton married Sue Norsby Welker.  They moved to Great Falls where they resided until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Sue, of Great Falls, son Keith of Valier, brothers James (Julie) of Chester and Jack (Pat) Woods of San Diego.  He is also survived by his stepchildren, Rod Welker of Cut Bank, Keri (Jake) Yates of Billings, Jami (Scott) Laird of Cut Bank, Jon Welker of Lewistown, Lisa (Dennis) Gerke of Belt and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, his son Brett, his daughter Toni Ann, brother Tom Briden, and 3 half-brothers and 3 half-sisters and his loving German Shepherd Meisha.