Obstetrician created early clinic for the high-risk

William R. Claytor, 83, a Washington obstetrician and gynecologist who delivered more than 6,000 babies during a career spanning five decades and was among the first black doctors on the staff at area hospitals, died Oct. 21 at Washington Hospital Center. He had chronic obstructive lung disease.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Claytor was chairman of the obstetrics divisions of Howard University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center. He retired from the full-time faculty at Howard in 1991 and stopped practicing obstetrics.

He continued practicing gynecology until 2002, when he retired completely.

At Howard, he was credited with establishing and directing the first high-risk clinic for obstetrical patients. His other staff affiliations included Columbia Hospital for Women and Providence Hospital.

William Richard Claytor was a lifelong Washingtonian. He graduated at 16 from Dunbar High School, where he was on the varsity swimming and football teams and a member of the rifle team and high school cadet corps.

He served in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II and also helped integrate a Naval training station in San Diego. He was a 1949 cum laude graduate of Springfield College in Massachusetts and a 1954 graduate of Howard University medical school. He became chief resident at Freedman's Hospital in the late 1950s.

He was a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was chairman of the D.C. section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and was a member of many professional organizations

He enjoyed fishing and boating and belonged to several local social clubs.

His marriages to LaVonne Thomas Claytor and Marie Watford Claytor ended in divorce.

Survivors include his third wife, Julia Liner Claytor of Washington; six children from his first marriage, William R. Claytor Jr. of Olney, Renee C. Icenroad of Windermere, Fla., Troy Claytor of Winter Garden, Fla., Rhett Claytor of Old Bridge, N.J., Raphael Claytor of Potomac and Dr. Risa C. Washington of Columbia; and 10 grandchildren.

-- Adam Bernstein