Clayton (Clay) Wittman, Colonel (Ret) US Air Force, of Kentwood, Michigan, passed away in early February 2024 at the age of 62 after a battle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Clay was born in July 1961 in Vicenza, Italy. His father, Clarence, an Army officer, and mother, Beverly, raised four sons, moving often throughout their Army career. Growing up, Clay had a keen interest in all things mechanical and electrical. When he wasn't spending hours tinkering with old watches, fans, or calculators he could be found operating his ham radio into the late evening hours or working diligently on the requirements for his designation as an Eagle Scout. Subsequent to his graduation with honors from Lawton High School in Lawton, Oklahoma, in May 1979, he attended the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he studied engineering. Upon his graduation in June 1983, Clay was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and selected for pilot training. He earned his pilot wings at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, in Aug 1984.

Clay met Julie (Kline) while both were stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, and they married in July 1986. They had two sons, Christopher and Matthew. The family moved nine times over the course of Clay's 26 year active-duty career, to include overseas assignments in Germany and Spain. During those years, Clay accrued more than 4,000 flight hours piloting the C-5 Galaxy and C-21 Learjet aircraft.

Upon retiring from the Air Force in Oct 2009, Clay attended law school at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating in Jan 2013, Clay passed the Michigan Bar exam and enjoyed a second career in estate planning and providing court appointed legal services to Kent County residents in need. Clay also spent many hours volunteering as a member of the Kent County Veterans Treatment Court.

Working just part-time in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic gave Clay and Julie the opportunity to pursue their love of travel which included: Alaska (cruise and rail), Australia, Europe (cruise and rail), South Korea and Canada (cruise and rail). During his later years Clay also enjoyed cycling, fishing, and spending time with the various family poodles!

Clay was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Beverly Wittman and son, Matthew. He is survived by his wife, Julie; son, Chris and Richele (both Majors in the Air Force) and three grandchildren Chloe, Rylee and Cameron; brothers Gary and Jane Wittman, Greg and Tina Wittman, Bradley and Elizabeth Wittman; brothers-in-law Bill and Meg Kline, Robert Kline and Janet Lemens, Peter and Cheri Kline; and seventeen nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan on the 23rd of March, Saturday at 1:30pm, with visiting hours starting at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Florida State University (Matthew T. Wittman Memorial Scholarship Fund) 325 W. College Avenue, Tallahassee FL 32301-9969, Kent County Veterans Treatment Court (Leave No Veteran Behind) P.O. Box 3500, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, or Kids' Food Basket, 1300 Plymouth Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.