Wilfred James McClary, 88, of St. Peters, Missouri, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Feb. 14, 2015, at home in St. Peters.

He was born March 28, 1926, in Spring Valley, Minnesota, to Myrtle (Guy) and James Carroll McClary. He graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1944 and entered the US Navy the following September. Bill married Virginia Renspie on Nov. 16, 1945, in San Diego, California. He served as a Seaman First Class on the USS Destroyer 661, the USS Captain Kidd, during the invasion of Okinawa in World War II. He was employed at Hormel Food Corporation from 1949 until he retired in 1985.

Bill was a charter member of Fellowship United Methodist Church where he was active in many capacities. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, Post 91, and the VFW, Post 1216. His hobbies included dancing, fishing, woodworking, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving him is his wife, Virginia of St. Peters, Missouri; daughters: Cheryle (Dale) Walker of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Linda Watkins of St. Peters, Missouri; grandchildren, Tara (Brad) Arnold, Cory Walker DO, Autumn (Brian) Massey, and Eric Walker; great-grandchildren include: Anna and Isabelle Massey, Jillian and Seth Arnold; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and one brother.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with the Rev. Dennis Tamke officiating. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery with Austin Post No. 91 American Legion and Olaf B. Damm Post No. 1216 Veterans of Foreign Wars in charge of military rites. Visitation will be at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the USO or the charity of your choice.