Edward Clay Johnston's Obituary
Edward Clay Johnston, 90, went home to be with the Lord on February 17, 2026. Born January 1, 1936, in Deltaville, Virginia, to Neal and Hasel Johnston, Clay grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where he excelled in school, graduated fifth in his class, and went on to study chemical engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech).
While he was in college, Clay came to a deep and personal faith in Jesus Christ through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. That decision shaped the course of his life. After further training at Columbia Bible College, he married Helen May Kassner in 1959. Together they answered God's call to serve overseas with Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Clay and Helen lived among the Cotabato Manobo people of the Philippines, learning their unwritten language, developing a written alphabet and dictionary, and helping to translate the New Testament into Manobo. They helped establish a growing local church and saw Manobo lives transformed by having God's Word in their heart language. Clay later served in leadership and technical roles with Wycliffe in the United States. In 1988, he returned to the Philippines to celebrate the completion and dedication of the Manobo New Testament. Clay and Helen faithfully served with Wycliffe for 48 years.
Clay and Helen relocated to Oklahoma to be near family, and after Helen's death in 2010, Clay continued to make his home there. He invested in the lives of international students at the University of Tulsa, discipled men in his church, taught computer classes, and remained active in missions education. He celebrated his 90th birthday in January, surrounded by memories and messages from so many people whose lives he touched.
Clay was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Hasel Johnston; his son, Timothy Neal Johnston; and his beloved wife of 50 years, Helen Kassner Johnston. He is survived by his son, Troy Johnston; his daughter, Lisa Johnston Averitt; his son-in-law, Ben Averitt; and his grandchildren: Hannah Averitt, Rachel and Gus Talkington, Abigail Averitt, Benjamin Averitt, and Thomas Johnston Averitt.
Clay's heart beat for Bible translation, and he wanted everyone to have the Bible in their heart language. If you are interested in giving to Wycliffe Bible Translators on his behalf below are the details:
Online donations to WBT: ;
By mail: Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862
Credit card gift by phone: 1-800-WYCLIFFE (992-5433) or 407-852-3600
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