Bennie James "Jamie" Clay III, cherished son, father, veteran, and storyteller was born on February 19, 1967, in Wichita, Kansas, to Bennie J. Clay Jr. and Carol Ann Jones. Jamie's journey on earth concluded on October 17, 2023, leaving a legacy of laughter, love, and faith.  A love for Jesus and a circle of loved ones, along with education, work experience and past times, are highlighted in Jamie's life showcase.

Bennie's early education was in Wichita, attending Bryant Elementary and Hadley Jr. High before attending and graduating from Northwest High School in 1985. For a short time afterwards, he attended Wichita State University and actively participated in drama, sports, including rugby and crew/rowing. He furthered his education at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, earning a bachelor's degrees in both Theology and Anthropology in 1999.  Bennie dedicated a part of his life serving his country as a Chaplain, in the U.S. Army Reserves.  He even participated in the Iraq War, illustrating his unwavering commitment to service to his country and faith.  Bennie's work history was a mixture of employment experiences.  It included employment at Boeing, Amazon, Mid Continent Avionics and Leading Technology Composites, where he worked for over 15 years and achieved the Employee of the Year Award in 2018 as well as other acknowledgments.

On August 20th, 1994, Bennie J. Clay, III, married to a beautiful woman and they welcomed their beloved daughter.  Bennie was well-loved by family and friends. His humor and knack for storytelling made him the life of every gathering, lighting up rooms with his presence.

A devoted 9th Street Church of God member, his faith was the cornerstone of his existence. He loved all types of music which ranged from Hip hop to country, contemporary Christian and heavy metal. This showed how he valued the lyrics and viewpoints of different genres of music and cultures. Bennie was a man of diverse interests, from the thrill of horse racing and NASCAR to cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Notre Dame. His love for sports only matched his enjoyment of walking, dining out, and movie-going, especially with his cousins. Bennie's love for Hawaii and its beaches were profound.  He confided in others how much he wanted to live there.

Bennie was preceded in death by his loving Mother, Carol and Stepfather Ken Berger and his Grandparents. He is survived by his Father, Capt. Bennie J. Clay, Jr., daughter; Sophia Clay and brother Christopher Brent Clay, along with step siblings; Ken's children from a previous marriage, and several aunts, Uncles, and a host of Cousins and Extended family.

Bennie's life was a tapestry of varied passions and talents. In remembrance of Bennie James "Jamie" Clay III, we celebrate a life lived with vigor, humor, and unyielding faith. His stories, laughter, and love remain etched in our hearts, a testament to a life beautifully lived.

In Lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed. Please send to:

Ninth St Church of God

956 Mathewson Street

Wichita, KS. 67214