William Clayton Finch

Newport, RI - Rev. William Clayton Finch, 68, of 25 Newport Avenue, Newport, died Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at Newport Hospital Newport, RI. Born in St. Joseph, MO on February 15, 1936, he was the son of the late Clayton Albert and Cora June Carter Finch.Reverend Finch graduated from the Universtiy of California, Riverside, and earned advanced degrees at Saint Thmas Major Seminary in Seattle. He then pursued a career on the West Coast as physicist and engineer in the aerospace industry, including General Dynamics and as an educator, before retiring to this area in 1996. He continued work as an educator, including teaching assignments in science, mathematics, and languages at Portsmouth Abby School, Mount Hope High School and as a private tutor. Ordained a priest of the Orthodox Catholic Church of America in 1999, Reverend Finch ministered in several areas, especially to the elderly. He was a member of the Order of Saint Luke the Physician, the Ecumenical Order of Saint Francis, the Newport Police Department Citizen Volunteer, and several professional, scientific, and theological societies. Reverend Finch was an accomplished astronomer, ornithologist, and enthusiastic collector, chess player, fisherman, golfer, poet and a devoted family man. He is survived by his only son Steven Finch of San Diego, CA, his granddaughter Lauren Elizabeth Finch of San Diego, CA, and his brother Donald Finch of Louisville, KY.He was the brother of the late Charles Finch. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, May 3, 2004, at 11:00 AM in St. Peters Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be private.