Clayton "Clay" Waltermire, 88, of Williams Township, died peacefully, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Bethlehem, PA. Clay and his wife met at Monmouth College and celebrated 65 years of marriage before his passing.  Born November 4, 1937, on a small farm near Heilwood, PA,  he was a son of the late Milton George Waltermire and Kathryn Mae( Nicewonger) Waltermire.

Clay is survived by his wife Suzanne Alice Voegeli Waltermire, and two children, Marilyn of Virginia and Robert and his wife Nancy of New Jersey and a grandson James.He was predeceased by sister, Evelyn; brothers William and Carl. He is survived by a brother Thomas of Ohio.

Clay was a graduate of Clymer High School, Class of 1955, worked as a draftsman at JCP&L in Asbury Park, NJ, and earned his Bachelor's degree in Physics from Monmouth College in 1960. He received a Masters in Physics from Bucknell University in 1965 and worked towards a PhD at Lehigh University, but did not complete his thesis.

Clay worked for 35 years in the microwave tube field for military applications in radar and communications. Employment included Bendix, Sylvania, Litton, International Telephone & Telegraph, and Varian. He designed the first traveling wave tube with the patented 2 second cathode for the SAM_D missile, now known as the Patriot missile. Clay was respected by peers, competitors, system manufactures, and military commands.

He was a life long gardener for more than 70 years; his small gardens supplied veggies to more than 4 families. His passion for hunting and fishing was known by all who knew him. He and his son made many hunting trips to western US, Canada, and Alaska.

A funeral will be private for family only. Arrangements by Pearson Funeral Home, Bethlehem Pa. Interment will be in Bethlehem Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to Penn Manor High  School Foundation, Waltermire Scholarship, 6001 Route 553, Clymer PA 15728