Luther Clayton Herring, Sr. passed away early Easter Sunday morning, April 5, 2015 at Brian Center of Wallace, NC.

Born on June 13, 1921, he was the son of the late Dallas Burke and Lulu Southerland Herring. He is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Nettie Cameron Herring.

Clayton was President of Atlantic Coffin and Casket Company, Inc. in 1907 currently doing business as Atlantic Heritage Company where he specialized in Wood Millwork. Any product created under his supervision could not leave the company until it was perfect. He believed if his name was on the product, it had to be done to the highest standards.

Clayton attended NC State and Presbyterian Junior College, which he left in 1941 to join the Army Air Corp. After earning his wings, he was assigned to the Eastern Flying Training Command at Maxwell Field, Alabama as an instrument flight training instructor where he taught pilots to fly the B-17 Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber. He later became a B-29 Superfortress Heavy Bomber Pilot.

Clayton loved young people and his Rose Hill community. One of his passions was to help young men understand the importance of serving others. He dedicated his life to serving others though the Rose Hill Fire Department for 60 years. He was Rose Hill Fire Chief for 39 years. In addition to his volunteer work at the fire department, he also voluntarily served as supervisor of the town's rescue squad, director of Rose Hill Civil Defense, Past President of the Duplin County Fireman Association and a member of the Duplin County Fire Commission among many other organizations.

Of all of his community service he was most proud of the work with the Rose Hill Rescue Squad founded in the early 60s which was manned by the local Explorer Scout Troop under his leadership. The Troop chose as their service project emergency service and soon added first aid and emergency procedures. Clayton believed in these young men and had faith that they would succeed. He believed and lived that "if a person doesn't take an active part in the affairs of his community, he is a liability instead of an asset."

Clayton was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church in Rose Hill. As much as he loved his town, he loved the Lord and his church even more and served as a devoted member, Deacon, Elder and various other positions at the local level. He was always concerned that there should be more singing of the "old Hymns" to bring more people to Christ.

He was known to many in the town and community as Unk, Mr. Clayton, and Chief.

He received numerous town, county, and state awards and other accolades but he was most proud of his grandson and their families as well as his "grand-dog", Sebastian.

Clayton is survived by two children, Clayton Herring, Jr. of Rose Hill and Linda H. Mottley (Keith) of Richmond, VA; four grandsons, Scott Herring of Surf City, Chris Herring (Fayth) of Wallace, Clay Mottley (Lindsay) of Richmond, VA and Charles Mottley (Kara Graham) of Manassas, VA; four great-grandchildren, Jonae' and Taylor Herring, Cameron and Chase Mottley; his "little sister" Annie Louise Ward of Rose Hill and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Burial will be at 11:00am Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at Rose Hill Cemetery, which is located 1 to 2 miles on Fire Tower Road in Rose Hill, coming from NC Hwy 117.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, 129 E. Main Street in Rose Hill followed by visitation in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, PO Box 188, Rose Hill, NC 28458 or to Rose Hill Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 478, Rose Hill, NC 28458.

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Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Wallace, 612 S. Norwood Street, Wallace, NC
910-285-4005
Burial will be at 11:00am Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, 129 E. Main Street in Rose Hill followed by visitation in the fellowship hall.