Wendell Zachary Clay

WENDELL ZACHARY CLAY was born in Baltimore, Maryland on December 13, 1957 to Nicholas Gardner and Florence Evelyn Milburn (Clay), who preceded him in death. Wendellwas raised by his mother and husband, Lewin Tiller Milburn, who he often credited with introducing him to sports. Lewin also preceded Wendell in death. In 2019, Wendell wasdiagnosed with lung cancer and went through several rounds of chemotherapy. Wendellwon his battle with lung cancer, which was in remission at the time of his death. However, Wendell was not able to overcome his unrelenting fight with COPD and Emphysema. Consequently, God called him home on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Throughout his illness, Wendell remained steadfast and never complained. Whenever he was asked how he was feeling, his response was always the same, even in his last hour, “I am all right”. Wendell, loved life, family, and as everyone who knew him, sports may have been the greatest love, especially, “those Orioles”. In his youth, Wendell participated in both football and baseball youth leagues, with baseball being the most enjoyable and his lifelong preferred sport. Wendell attended Baltimore City Schools beginning with Thomas G. Hayes Elementary School, Lombard Junior High School, and then Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School. In December of 1975, at the age of eighteen, Wendell decided to mark his independence as an adult by enlisting in the United States Army. Wendell, knowing the value his mother placed on education, sat for his GED test and passed with flying colors. On January 28, 1976, Wendell began his military enlistment in the 1st Infantry Division, the famed “Big Red One”, where he served as a Communication Specialist. Wendell, affectionately known in the family as a walking encyclopedia and history buff was thrilled to be following in the footsteps of several maternal uncles who served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War. As a teenage boy, Wendell looked forward to one-on-one debates with his Uncle Charlie, who also loved conversations about history and military warfare. In 1977, Wendell a humble man, who never bragged about any accomplishment, was selected to serve as a member of the Color Guard in which he wore a World War I uniform in honor of American War dead during a Memorial Day celebration in France. Wendell’s baby sister saw him on television, but was told by her parents that she was imagining things. However, when Wendell returned home years later, he casually provided the family with a French newspaper clipping of the Color Guard on the front page. Wendell explained the event was televised internationally because it commemorated the sixtieth-year anniversary of American entry into World War I. Overall, Wendell enjoyed his military experience, the adventures, the travel, and all things related to military aviation. Wendell rose to the rank of sergeant prior to the end of his tour of duty. He returned home in 1979, but with few opportunities for employment, reenlisted in the Army in 1980. Again, returning as a Sergeant, Wendell was stationed for two years in Germany before returning home in 1983. During his military enlistment, Wendell received a Good Conduct Medal and he was honorably discharged following both enlistments. After returning home, Wendell worked various jobs before becoming a waste technician for Baltimore City Waste Treatment Facility in 1985. Wendell remained at the treatment facility until his health began to fail in 2002. Following that time, Wendell was employed by various employers to include Abacus Corporation and Wyman Park Restaurant until 2010 when he could not work any longer. Wendell leaves to mourn his death: his younger sisters, Vera Shabazz (Joseph), Florence Milburn, and Coretta Fenner (Kenneth), and older brother George Michael Milburn (Lewin). His sister Jacquelyn Milburn preceded him in death. Also, Wendell leaves behind his brothers-in-law, an uncle, aunts, nieces, nephews, one great-great-niece, and many cousins.

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Wendell Zachary Clay

December 13, 1957 - October 16, 2022