Robert Clay Heatley (aka R. Clay Heatley, “The Heat”), 63, devout Christian and 1972 graduate of Emmaus High School, fought a great fight but lost his battle with cancer and died peacefully, Aug. 2, 2018, in his home with family present at Good Shepherd Independent Living apartments. Born in Allentown Hospital, he grew up in Zionsville. He was one of the six Heatley children of Marjory Ann (Davis) Heatley, of Emmaus and the late Charles James Heatley Jr.

“Clay” was an arborist in Seattle, Wash., owning “Heatley’s Professional Tree Service” (slogan: I go out on a limb for you) from 1991-1996 until an accident in 1996, left him paralyzed. Prior, he worked at Big M Stain Glass Wholesale, also in Seattle.

After moving back to Pennsylvania from Seattle around 2011, he resided at Ridge Manor Apartments in Emmaus before moving to Good Shepherd Independent Living apartments in 2016.

He is survived by his mother; brothers: Charles James III and his wife Kay, of Alexandria, Va.; Harry Alfred and his wife Kim, of Gulf Breeze, Fla; sisters: Catherine Jane and her husband Michael Sechler, of Allentown; Cynthia Joyce and her husband Edward Sommers, of Whitehall; Heather Ann and her husband Martin Yany, of Wescosville; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews.

Contributions may be made to offset funeral expenses. Please mail cards and/or contributions to Robert Clay Heatley in care of his sister Cindy Sommers, 1742 Michael Drive, Whitehall, 18052.

Good Shepherd will include a memorial segment for Clay at their residents’ Sunday service 4 p.m. Aug. 12 at Good Shepherd Apartments. A public memorial service is planned to be held the weekend of Aug. 25-26. Details to be announced. Arrangements were made by the Boyko Funeral Home, Allentown.