Dr. William Clayton Hubner, Jr.

For Memorial Contributions, please refer to the information at the end of this obituary.

Dr. William Clayton Hubner Jr., PhD. was born 23 Feb 1958 in Logan, Utah to Bill and June Hubner. Following his birth the family moved to Staten Island, NY and then settled in Rochester, NY where he grew up.

Clayton’s upbringing was full of family, fun and learning. He was an avid outdoorsman and earned his Eagle Scout at a young age. He looked for any opportunity for adventure and participated in both Student Conservation Association in Olympic National Park and Hurricane Island Outward Bound. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1976.

Following High School Clayton attended the University of Rochester on a Navy ROTC scholarship. He later left the U of R and the Navy program and attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo Utah, where for a time he played on the Lacrosse team.

Clayton took some time off from school to “sort himself out” and took a job back in Rochester working for DELCO Auto in car battery assembly. He would later say that his time “on the line” did more in developing his business knowledge and management skills than all his years in academia. He also remarked that after working at DELCO he no longer feared failure as long as he kept moving forward towards a goal.

Following his time at DELCO, Clayton served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Amsterdam, Holland. There he developed a love for the Dutch people and language that continued his whole life.

After his mission, Clayton graduated from BYU with both a Bachelors degree in business and a MBA. Following graduation he married Diana Will and returned to Amsterdam to work with McKinsey and Company as a consultant.

After three years of consultant work, Clayton went to the University of Michigan where he earned a Masters in Operational Engineering and ultimately his PhD in business. During his dissertation work he became a faculty member at the William and Mary University in Virginia, in the MBA program, where he received recognition for his teaching.

Desiring more practical experience and application, Clayton then returned to industry working for Applied Power in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following his time in Wisconsin he used his business acumen to work for Razor Fish in the Boston area and then with Value Logic back in Rochester.

In 2003 Clayton returned to academia becoming faculty with BYU Hawaii’s business program. He later served as Dean of the business school from 2006-2008. Missing his true love of teaching he returned to the classroom in 2009 where he was active until his death.

Within academia he thought one of his greatest achievements was the development of a new undergraduate course: Mathematics of Finance.

Along the way Clayton served church and community in many ways including being a Scout Master, Sunday School Teacher, Bishop’s Counselor, High Councilman and Bishop of the BYU-H 13th Ward. Of all his service he said that his very favorite was being an ordinance worker at the Laie Temple.

Over the years Clayton and Diana raised an active family of four daughters and one son. From his words and actions it was apparent to all that his wife and children were the focus and center of his life. He loved to take them on hikes, campouts and his infamous road trips across islands and nations. Born with an insatiable wanderlust, Clayton traveled the globe. His willingness to explore and to ‘rough-it’ continued throughout his life, influencing his wife, children and friends.

By his own confession Clayton was a ‘rascal’, instigating trouble and fun wherever he went. His aptitude and enjoyment for storytelling made him easily approachable and a great teacher. His love for learning never ceased and he was perpetually seeking and sharing his knowledge, both temporal and spiritual. His natural affability made him a friend to all.

As a ‘Michigan Engineer’ with a New Yorker’s attitude Clayton always felt that even big problems didn’t stand a chance! We know that even where his is now, he is working hard and expects all of us to do the same.

Clayton died June 17th in a car accident near Hugo, Colorado doing what he loved, driving cross country on another epic road trip. He is survived by his wife Diana and children Celesta, Carlyn, Christina, Camilla, and Gerrit; as well as his parents Bill and June Hubner and brothers Eric and Mark Hubner.

A memorial service celebrating Clayton’s life and influence will be held at the LDS Chapel at 1400 Westfall Rd, Rochester, NY 14618 on Saturday 23 June at 10 AM. An additional memorial service will be held in Laie, Hawaii later in July. Details to follow on this website.

To see a recent devotional by Clayton, please go to the link below:

Below is the eulogy from Clayton’s service on the 23rd of June.

Good morning. I am Mark Hubner, Clayton’s younger brother.

Though profoundly saddened by the loss of my brother, I am grateful for today’s opportunity to honor Clayton and share how he changed my life forever.

Contrary to my experience with military funerals that focus on the loss and the sacrifice of the hero warrior, today we have gathered here to celebrate my brother, to raise our hearts and voices in thanks, to gather together in love and to have our wounded hearts healed and comforted by that special Balm of Gilead that only comes through the Savior Jesus Christ.

I have no doubt that we will feel his presence here today and in our minds eye see that quintessential Clayton smirk and twinkle in his eye.

As a family we have decided if there is a single word that describes Clayton, it is:

EPIC !

In fact, I don’t think I am far from the mark in stating that Clayton’s preferred funeral would be a classic Viking Pyre on a ship with friends and family on the shore sharing in tales of conquest, daring-do and bravery.

In virtually everything Clayton did in life and even in the manner of his passing to the other side, Clayton was and ever will be EPIC. No doubt our family and friends on the other side are already getting a taste of Clayton of his intensity and greatness of spirit.

Clayton was born Feb 23 1958 in Logan Utah where my father was getting his masters degree.

Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Staten Island and lived with my Grandmother. It was there that Clayton quickly became that apple of Grandma’s eye. Till Grandma passed away, Clayton and she had a special bond with each other. I believe it was this bond that encouraged Clayton to become and enjoy the role of story teller. This was a trait that he used throughout his life in both teaching and entertaining.

Later the family moved to Rochester where my parents took jobs in the Rochester and BOCES school systems.

Eventually the family settled in Brighton.

Clayton did exceptionally well in school. He was truly gifted academically. I rarely saw him study for a test. He could read textbooks quickly and absorb and retain the needed information.

After High School Clayton received a ROTC scholarship to the U of R. He loved his “Med Cruise” with the Navy, but determined the Navy was not for him. He left the U of R and the ROTC program for BYU.

Clayton made many friends at BYU and he often spoke of that time of fun and mischief. Unfortunately his grades reflected it. He return to Rochester and worked at DELCO. While there, he came to realize he had bigger goals in life and his current path would not get him there. He also did some hard thinking and firmly resolved to start a life of discipleship to Christ and to serve Him on a mission.

Clayton’s mission to the Amsterdam Mission further galvanized his commitment to Christ. His love of the Lord no- with-standing, Clayton’s letters were full of dramatic stories and humorous self-deprecation.
Following his mission, Clayton returned to BYU and I followed him there upon completion of my mission to Germany. The first week I was there Clayton introduced me to Brenda and said “You ought to date her, she is a very good person.” For years we joked that Brenda and I had an arranged marriage.

Following his MBA Clayton married Diana. We were all happy with the marriage. We knew that Clayton needed a strong partner who could stand up to him and keep him in line. Such a person is Diana.

After their marriage they moved to Holland to work with McKinsey and Co.

And after a few years in Holland Clayton came to Michigan to get his PhD. Along the way he also earned an engineering degree in Operations Management. He was always very proud of being a Michigan Engineer.

Later Clayton taught at the William and Mary MBA program and totally enjoyed his new career in teaching.

Following William and Mary he returned to industry working in Wisconsin. Once again our paths crossed as we lived up state from them and enjoyed a number of weekends together.

After Wisconsin the family moved to Boston and then Rochester.

And finally in 2003 he became faculty at the college of business at BYU Hawaii. He again loved teaching and eventually became Dean of the College of Business for three years. He stepped down from the Dean’s post again to return to teaching the business undergrads. In his quest to sharpen the business students, he created a Mathematics of Finance course that he felt was one of his proudest achievements.

Also during this time he was called to serve as the Bishop of a student ward. Though taxed with professional obligations, Clayton loved this calling and the opportunity to give one on one spiritual counseling and direction to the members of his ‘flock’. In this capacity he touch many lives in a most profound way.

Last week, Clayton was on the mainland driving across country towards Rochester, when a tire on their pick-up failed, rolling the truck and killing Clayton.

As I was collecting my thoughts on what to say today, Brenda shared with me “You know, Clayton was the one who taught me the Plan of Salvation.” As I pondered on that I realized, yes, that phrase about sums it up. CLAYTON TAUGHT ME.

Right at this moment as we join together in remembering Clayton, there are many here in the Rochester area who can say: Clayton taught me.

There are countless Boy Scouts, both old and young, who can say the same.

There are business colleagues in Mongolia, China, Tonga, and Singapore who will tell you “He taught me.”
There are mission companions, temple workers, counselors, church members and others across globe who will say it too.

Not to mention so many professors, grad students, and countless undergrads who can join in saying “He taught me.”

I would like to share a few funny and serious things that Clayton taught me in my life.

On the funny side:

1. He taught me to face my fears....one night as youth we were out throwing snow balls at cars on Monroe Avenue. Unknown to us, a policeman had spotted us and had doubled around behind us. As he pulled up and caught us in his headlights, I was frozen in fear. Clayton grabbed me by my jacket and yelled. “Runnnn!” Once we caught our breath we laughed and had a special bonding moment - two young criminals on the lam.

2. He taught me to see opportunity wherever you are... on one very cold winter camp-out up at Camp Cutler, Campsite 25, Clayton saw potential in the ragged group of 5 or 8 freezing scouts and put a pot of water on the fire. Soon he was selling hot lemonade at discount prices to all his new customers. ....Mom made him give the money back.

3. He taught me to be bold in the face of uncertainty... one summer when we were college students on break, back home in Rochester, We had heard of a dorm party at Nazareth and went to check it out. As we entered the front hall we were greeted by the grey haired dorm matron who asked “You are a quest?” As this was the era of Monty Python, Clayton thought she had asked “What is your quest?” In epic boldness, Clayton puffed out his chest and in his best English accent boldly stated “We seek the Holy Grail.” Which were the last words spoken before we were quickly escorted back outside.

4. He taught me to think quick in times of danger... While on his mission in Amsterdam Clayton and companion were at a dinner appointment at the home of an older woman who most people shunned thinking her unbalanced. At one point in the dinner the woman let out a sudden shriek and picked up her dinner knife and stabbed Clayton in his chest. Through some miracle the knife hit a rib and bounced off. Clayton, in his quick manner looked at her and said sternly “Helga quit screwing around and go get us dessert.” To which the woman apologized and went to the kitchen to retrieve the dessert. Clayton later said he had a nasty bruise for weeks and that area hurt for quite a while afterwards.

On the serious side:

1. Clayton taught me to be inquisitive. Besides the words EPIC and TEACHER, Clayton was always inquisitive. In Clayton’s world there is no such thing as a dreary day or a boring person. He found awe and wonder in all things and all people.

2. He taught me to be selfless in service... I remember while we were students at BYU the night before his big math final he received a panicked call from a young sister he home-taught. She was over 100 miles away stranded on the road side with a broken car and feeling in danger. Clayton left immediately to render aid and returned, bone weary tired, around 3 or 4 AM. After a few hours sleep he went to take his final. He later told me that he could not remember anything in the exam, but did his best. He later received his highest test score of the semester on that exam.

3. He taught me commitment to spiritual things... when I was called to be a High Priest, Clayton took time from his busy life to fly across country, mentor me and then ordain me. His example and continued mentorship have blessed and strengthened me across the years and the miles. Many are the times I have called him for counsel as I have served in various callings.

4. And finally, Clayton taught and is still teaching me (and all of us) the importance of temple work and family history... recently he told me that of all his jobs and callings both professionally and in church, being a temple worker was by far his favorite. He was very engaged in family history and knew most of our deceased relatives by sight from pictures; and more importantly knew their personalities and life histories. I have no doubt that his was a joyous reunion on the other side, with so many with whom he was already friends. So typical of EPIC Clayton. He could travel the world from end to end and never need stay in a hotel because he was so connected with so many friends. And in his passing he could even travel to the other side and still be received by more family and friends that he had developed thru his love and study.

These stories may be funny or inspiring. But more importantly they are a part of who I am.

Yes, Clayton taught me. But more significantly, in teaching and loving me he showed me a better way to live and he has become part of me and I think I can say a part of all of us here today.

Though saddened by his death, let us face the future in EPIC Clayton fashion. Let us be inquisitive, let us live life fully. Let us follow his example in being devoted to the Lord and in serving our fellow man.

Most importantly, let us celebrate Clayton’s life and show it – in gratitude, song, perhaps some mirth and laughter and in a fearless zest for life and all it brings. And let us now go forth with happy countenance and teach others a better way to live, as Clayton has taught us through his words and deeds.

Please share your memories of Clayton and condolences with his family by selecting the “sign guestbook” option below.