“To slip the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God.” spoken by Ronald Regan regarding the Challenger tragedy from “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee Jr.
William J. Clark Jr., age 93, of Montana City, passed away July 12, 2016.
A devoted Roman Catholic, a father of four, a man who was always kind to animals, William Joseph Clark Jr. lived as full and rich a life as anyone could hope for. He served his country as a United States Naval aviator and the city of his birth as a New York Fireman. He attained the rank of Captain in both services.
The Captain has made his final launch. He has no doubt joined his beloved wife of 65 years, Dorothy Patricia Clark, his son Michael Christopher, 2nd LT USMC, Vietnam War Veteran (died 1971), his cherished sister Kathleen and his much loved dogs.
Anchors Aweigh Dad. You’ve completed your final roll call. Your flight plan is filed and the ceiling is unlimited.
Captain Clark is survived by his daughters, Carolyn (Brian) Bielser and Debra (Paul) Dorrance; his son, William Joseph Clark III; and his nephew, Bruce (Ann) LaFlamme.
A Viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 19th, 2016 at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St, with a Funeral Mass to follow at 12:00 p.m. at the Cathedral. Burial will be held at a later date in New York. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of William.
Kori R. Dee says
Prayers to all the Clark family. I did not know your Dad but I absolutely love the beautiful obituary and tribute of your Dad. Anchors Aweigh Captain Clark! Blessings to all. Steve and Kori Dee
Paul Maloy says
Having moved into the neighborhood only two years ago my friendship with Bill Clark was limited however the impact he made on me was quite extensive. He was humble, yet accomplished, conservative yet compassionate, in poor health but not distressed or moved to self-pity. He was a man of courage and faith who added up the score and concluded he’d been dealt a good hand in this life. A member of the greatest generation he was an genuine example of having lived a life in service to his country, community, family and church. With remarkable accuracy he could tell you every detail of an event that happened decades ago – it’s the kind of insight that could only be borne from a life fully lived in every moment. Somehow, probably a function of his character, he left his ego out of the equation as he spoke of some of the remarkable fetes he’s accomplished during his lifetime including countless landings on aircraft carriers long before the modern age. I thank him for his example and I have no doubt of the happiness that awaits him. Good bye my friend, Paul Maloy