Walter Clay Shasteen

Walter "Clay" Shasteen, 87, died peacefully in his home in White Mountain Lake on September 27, 2015, after a recent diagnosis of cancer. Clay was born on June 30, 1928 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma near the Washita River, the second son of John Houston and Theressa Shasteen. When he was 5 days old the family moved to Denison, Texas where he grew up on the family dairy farm. At the age of 14 he decided that dairy farming was not for him and he went to work for the Missouri, Kansas, & Texas railroad in Durant, OK. Later he became partners with his older brother in a truck stop managing the diner and the gas station in Denison, TX. In 1952, he heard about the building boom going on in Phoenix, AZ and moved his family out west. He was hired on as a painter for the well-known building companies of John F. Long, Dell Webb and Pete King. There is not a home in Sun City, Maryville or central Phoenix that he didn't put his paint brush on. After learning all the ins and outs of the painting business, he decided to go on his own and became an independent paint contractor for 35 years. In his youthful years he was a member of the Phoenix JC's and the Black Canyon Saddle Club where he was president in 1965. He enjoyed his horses and roping and riding. He was an avid traveler with his motorhome and camped all over the western states and Canada. He was also involved with the American Legion in Sunnyslope, Heber and the Deer Valley Eagles. In 2007, he moved to White Mountain Lake to retire with his wife and companion of 18 years, Margie. He spent his last years tending to his garden, watching old John Wayne movies and listening to the classic country music on the RFD station. He also enjoyed his two feline companions, Monkey & Tiger. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, being preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Clifton &Tommy Allen; sisters, Patty, Peggy & Mary Jo. He also lost a son, Richard, in 2001 due to a farming accident. He is survived by his wife Margie of White Mountain Lake; son, Ronald of Phoenix; grandchildren, Cody (Sherry) Shasteen of Ponchatoula, LA, Stephanie (Jay) Brown of Gilbert, AZ & Samantha (Jon) Holligan of Scottsdale, AZ.; & 5 great grandchildren, Sandra Lee Shasteen, Morgan Shasteen, Daniel Pickel, & Hannah and Sarah Holligan. Also by many nieces, nephews and extended family in Texas. Services will be private with a final resting in Oklahoma. His wife wishes to thank Hospice Compassus of Lakeside for their compassion and the White Mountain Lake Fire Department for their helpfulness.