Emil "Joe" Clay

Emil Joe Clay, 82, a loving husband, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026, at his home with his family by his side. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Joe, as he was affectionately known, was born in Hazard, Kentucky, the son of the late Emil Everett Clay and the late Clarice Lynch Clay. He was a graduate of the University of Indiana and a former president with Fallon Luminous Products. Prior to that, he spent most of his four decades long career in manufacturing engineering and global management, traveling the world extensively. He was also an entrepreneur owning a farm equipment dealership and coal trucking company.

Joe was an avid freshwater and deep sea fisherman. He also loved playing golf all over the world. He was a huge University of Kentucky fan that loved to watch his Wildcats play basketball and was a football season ticket holder. He was a man that never met a stranger and was loved everywhere he went. He loved to work in his yard and spend time with his family and friends, including his buddy, George, a Westie, for 17 years. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Left to cherish Joe’s many memories are his loving wife of sixty-one and a half years: Abby Clay; his two sons: Gregg Clay (Brooke) and Scott Clay (Beth); his grandchildren Maggie Deskins (Brent), Ellie, Will, Liam Clay; two great grandchildren: Delaney and Dean Deskins; a favorite niece: Anita Loeser.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Floyd Mortuary Chapel, 235 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. The family will receive friends between 12:30 – 1:45 PM prior to the funeral service.

Joe’s memories will continue to live in the hearts of everyone that knew him.

The Arrangements are trusted to the care of Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel.