| Clay V. Spear | |
| Office: | Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court |
| Term Start: | 1965 |
| Term End: | 1971 |
| Appointer: | Robert Smylie |
| Predecessor: | Emery T. Knudson |
| Successor: | Robert E. Bakes |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Birth Place: | Anaconda, Montana, U.S. |
| Birth Date: | 10 January 1913 |
| Education: | University of Idaho (LLB) |
Clay V. Spear (January 10, 1913 – May 15, 1974)[1] was an American attorney, and judge who served as a justice of the Idaho Supreme Court from 1965 to 1971.
Born in Anaconda, Montana,[1] Spear graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow,[1] and received his J.D. from its College of Law in 1936. He served in the European theatre of World War II, where he "received four battle stars and a Bronze Star medal for service in the Battle of the Bulge".[1] [2] In 1946, he was named head of the VFW of Coeur d'Alene.[2]
Spear was appointed as a district judge in 1953,[1] and elevated to the state supreme court by Governor Robert Smylie in 1965, taking office on January 2, 1966.[1] [3] A resident of Coeur d'Alene at the time, he was the only member of the court from northern Idaho.[4] Spear retired from the court in December 1971 due to poor health,[5] relocated to Lewiston in 1972, and opened a part-time law practice.[6]
Spear "was found dead of a shotgun wound at his home", in an apparent suicide at age 61.[1] [6] [7]