JAMES WILLIAM ("J.W.") SLAY

James William Slay Sr., age 81 of Canton, passed away Sunday, March 28th at Aultman Hospital after battling a series of illnesses over the past few months. He was born in Cordele, Georgia on December 16, 1939    to the late Ruby Lee (Baxter) Dowell and Arthur Slay. James was the only child of his beloved mother, who affectionately referred to him as Bubby.

J.W. was a hardworking man. On any given day you could find him working in his yard, on his house, under the hood of a car or on top of his boat; his hands were rarely idle. He worked for more than 40 years in construction for Williams Asphalt and retired from Northern Ohio Paving Co. He was also an avid outdoorsman with hunting and fishing being his true passions. Many of his weekends were spent fishing on lakes like Berlin or Lake Erie.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his oldest son, Dennis Massey, and his old buddy, Syemon.

J.W. leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 56 years, Ruth (Brunner) Slay; his children, Yvonne Maria (Victor) Parks and James William (Ama) Slay Jr.  He was a devoted Grandaddy to his (5) grandchildren, Kristianna (Joe) Ratliff, Cy’Aira, Skyler and S’reane Parks, and James William Slay III; (2) great-grandchildren, Lyriq Parks and Abrielle Ratliff.  There was nothing that he would not do for his grand-kids, especially giving them his infamous “bald-head man” speeches.

The self-proclaimed “Killa,” will be truly missed by his nieces,  nephews, cousins, fishing buddies, “garage crew” and other close friends.

We thank God for him and are grateful to learn that through his gift of organ donation he will live on in at least 50 other individuals.

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