Clay was born February 22, 1994 to Pamela (Pam Pam) Fretheim and Michael (Mike) Kyllonen at Mercy Hospital in Williston, ND. Clay was determined to survive. He had many health issues to overcome as a newborn and later in his adulthood. He had his first surgery at 3 weeks old. Clay also survived a bad respiratory illness before Covid was actually labeled Covid.

Clay made Williston his home. He has many lifelong friends and family here. Clay was very witty and his smirk always made others smile. Clay loved basketball, you could usually see him walking around town with a basketball in hand, and his fancy Air Jordans. Clay had an affinity for the original Air Jordans, clever socks, and watches. He was worse than a lady in high heels when he had his Air Jordans on, avoiding mud, water puddles, etc.

He worked as a cook at various places in Williston, including Dakota Farms, Slim Chickens, and Gramma Sharons. He also worked in the oilfield industry.

Clay was very close to family and never strayed far from them! Clay and his Uncle Monkey (Byron) were always together. When you saw Clay, he was always in a good mood and usually asked to bum a cigarette, lol!

Clay loved hard and was loved by all. He was not a violent person and did not like conflict. He was a peace keeper. Clay was a hero, whose life was taken at a very young age defending his friend.

Clay is survived by his parents, Pamela (Pam Pam) Fretheim and Michael (Mike) Kyllonen; maternal grandparents, Mike and Verna Fretheim; paternal grandmother, Sylvia Barstad Fladeland; brother, Clement (CJ) Wells (Tessa); sisters, Tory Hunter (the late Joe Hunter), and Jesella Kyllonen (Tanner); nieces and nephews, Leo, Kieydin, Jason, Amaryah, Tre, Rowan, Raelynn, Maeve, and Korren; many great aunts, great uncles, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Thank you to the following people for having a special place in Clay’s life, Uncle Monkey, Skip and Vicki Harstad, Brian and Sondra Fretheim, Robert Morgan, Renell Belts, Chrissy, Lacie, Levi, Courtney, Charles, Jasmyn, Kenneth Addicott, Desri Linghor, Bobbie Gonzales, Laura White, and Molly Moore.

Thank You