Warfield Clay Bennett III, “Clay,” 61, died Nov. 10 , 2009, after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

The son of a naval officer, Clay grew up in California, Hawaii, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Florida, graduating from Episcopal High School in Virginia in 1966. He went on to earn BS and MS degrees from Florida State University, where he played football, tennis and track. He served in the Naval Reserve, including active duty on the USS Stribling during the Vietnam War.

Clay ran an independent insurance agency and also worked as a financial planner. An avid golfer, he was a member of Killearn Country Club, and coached golf at Community Christian School. His other passion was hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In the 1970’s, some neighborhood boys convinced him to be a Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 105, which he did with great zest and later took several trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

He was a member of Wildwood Presbyterian Church.

Clay is survived by his loving wife Joyce S. Bennett; his son, Warfield Clay Bennett IV (“CJ”); his sister, Ann B. Trent (Paul), brother William C. Bennett, and niece, Laura B. Camp (James ).

A memorial will be held Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. EST at Wildwood Presbyterian Church, 100 Ox Bottom Road, Tallahassee, FL. Burial will be held at a later date in Richmond, KY.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org) ; Community Christian School , 4859 Kerry Forest Pkwy, Tallahassee, FL 32309; or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 2221 Old Bainbridge Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32303.