WILMINGTON — Dr. Clay Hughes Napper, 88, passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, at home with his wife and children by his side. He was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Malden, Mo., to Lela Hughes and Clay Eli Napper.
He grew up in Malden and attended the University of Missouri before moving to Winston-Salem, N.C., to attend Wake Forest University School of Medicine. After serving in the U.S. Air Force at Cape Canaveral, Fla., he returned to Winston-Salem to complete his residency at Wake Forest. He practiced internal medicine in Winston-Salem for 37 years and was known as a compassionate physician with a calm and reassuring manner.
In 2003, Dr. Napper and his wife Grace retired to Wilmington, N.C., to be near their children and grandchildren. He loved the ocean and spent many happy days at Wrightsville Beach with his family and friends. He will be remembered as a gentle soul, extending his kindness to all he encountered. His family will forever cherish his sense of humor and love for the simple pleasures of life.
Dr. Napper, lovingly known as “Pop,” is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace Parker Napper; three children, Erin Napper Hester (Cliff), Jana Napper Burchett and Dr. Clay Hughes Napper Jr.; grandchildren, Katherine Hester Doehring (Jamison), Caroline Faulker Burchett, Clay Sutton Hester (Eliza), Corinne Hester Crews (Connor) and Julianna Hughes Burchett; and great-grandson, Henry Jamison Doehring. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Austin Hamilton Burchett.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 9, at St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. The Rev. Robert H. Lapp and the Rev. Derek J. Macleod will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice or St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
