Clayton Alfred Downing was born on April 13, 1918 as the son of Charles Clayton and Camilla (Wilson) Downing.

He married Wilda Craig and they had four children:

1. Patricia (Downing) Foster

2. Judith (Downing) Wittel

3. Camilla Downing

4. Sharon (Downing) Wilson

Clayton died on February 28, 1983 at the age of 64.