Clayton (Clay) Worst passed peacefully on June 25, 2025 surrounded by loved ones at his home in Goldfield, AZ just east of Apache Jct. He was born on Dec. 4, 1929 to Clayton Sr. and Floy Worst on the family farm near Fairview, MT. Clay was born 2 years after his sister Carol.
Clay graduated from Fairview High School in 1947 and began farming with his father, eventually taking over all the farming responsibilities. In 1954 Clay married Muriel Hammler. A son, Mark was born and later a daughter Susan, completing their family. The family moved to Apache Jct. in 1967 bringing along 4 horses which Mark and Susan insisted upon.
Clay built Parkway Plaza, a strip mall in Apache Jct., where he operated Pinal Realty for many decades. In 1978 he bought the Old Wasp Mine (est. 1891) at Goldfield, where he and Muriel built their retirement home. He was instrumental in the organization of Apache Jct. and was a founder of Superstition Mtn. Historical Society and Museum, where he gave public lectures on the history of the Superstition Mountains for many years. Clay was considered to be one of the foremost authorities on the fabled Lost Dutchman Gold Mine.
Clay was a man of deep faith and conviction and was a founding member of Epiphany Lutheran Church over 50 years ago. He had an adventuresome spirit and an insatiable desire to learn. He owned his first airplane at age 16, which he flew from the family farm. He developed a love of photography and had a beautiful darkroom there also. Upon moving to AZ, Clay learned to scuba dive, shoe his own horses, and took up boating and motorcycling. He was an avid gun collector and particularly loved the guns of the 1870s, even making his own ammunition for all the guns in his collection. Clay went to the Mackey School of Mines in Reno to learn to assay and built his own assay lab for his mining property at Goldfield. An avid reader, his home was filled with books.
Clay was preceded in death by his parents, sister Carol, wife Muriel, and son Mark. He is survived by his daughter Susan and 4 nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday July 2nd at 10:00 at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Apache Jct. If desired, donations may be made in Clay’s name to Epiphany Lutheran Church, Genesis Project, or an animal rescue agency of your choice.
Clay leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering strength that will be cherished by family and friends forever. His favorite phrase was, “How could life get any better than this?”
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday July 2nd at 10:00 at Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church in Apache Jct. Memorials may be made to Epiphany of Christ, Genesis Project, or the animal rescue agency of your choice.