Edward Clay Lewis, III, 74, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 in his home. He was born in Panama City, Florida on June 15, 1940, to E. Clay Lewis, Jr. and Joyce Reed Lewis. Clay spent the first seven years of his life in Port St. Joe, moving to Panama City in the spring of 1948. He attended Port Saint Joe Elementary School, Cove Elementary School, Jinks Junior High School and Bay County High School graduating in 1959. Clay attended the University of Florida, received his AA degree from Gulf Coast Community College and graduated from Florida State University with a Business/Banking Degree. He worked to pay his own way through college and always felt that was one of his best achievements.

Clay began working at Bay National Bank & Trust Co. (Bay Bank & Trust Co) at the age of 18, eventually becoming President/CEO and Vice Chairman of the Bank. He was a friendly man, soft spoken, low key and modest; never seeking the spotlight or public recognition. He was a man of humility and integrity who took great pleasure in seeing others succeed. Clay was always a gentleman and treated everyone with respect and kindness.

Clay enjoyed the community service that his banking career allowed. He served on many community boards, especially enjoying the Bay Bank Board, Northwest Florida Regional Library Board, Panama City-Bay County Airport Authority Board, Panama City Port Authority Board, United Cerebral Palsy Board and Gulf Coast Hospital Board of Trustees.
Clay also enjoyed early in his career, serving as an Adjunct Professor at Gulf Coast Community College teaching "Money and Banking" in the evenings.

Clay always felt his friends, his former associates at the old Commercial Bank, the Bay Bank and Trust Co. now Trustmark Bank, his classmates from the Bay High Class of 1959; along with his faith and family made for a rewarding and happy life.

Clay was predeceased by his parents: E. Clay and Joyce R. Lewis, and his in-laws Casper and Sue Harris. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Marsha Harris Lewis; sisters: Reed (Tom) Gregory of St. Petersburg, FL, Penny (Dennis) Whittaker of Cupertino, CA; brother-in-law: Hal (Cathie) Harris of Panama City, FL; nieces: Beth G. (John) Brenneis of Tallahassee, FL , Shelly W. (Steve) Jones of Roseville, CA., Kimberly W.(Ben) Chelf of San Francisco, CA, Margie Harris of Perry, FL, Julie Harris of San Antonio, TX, and Sarah Michelle Harris of Panama City, FL; nephew: Tom Gregory of St. Petersburg, FL, great nieces: Jessica Brenneis , Charlee Gregory, Riley Gregory and Sarah Harris; great nephews: Jordan Brenneis, Drew Jones and Carter Jones and a special family member, Portia Comer.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with Rev Steve Rascoe and Rev. Tom Gregory officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.

We would like to thank family friend and physician Dr. Marion Mathews and staff, Dr. Angel Nunez and staff, the staff of Covenant Hospice and Covenant Care Center. If you would like to remember Clay with a memorial, kindly make a contribution to your favorite charity, your church, the Family Service Agency, 114 E. 9th Street, Panama City, 32401 or Covenant Hospice, 107 W. 19th Street, Panama City, Fl. 32405.