Born January 9, 1933, to Ernest Burdette Clark & Rosa Mae Hill Clark in the Town of Wirt, New York, he spent his young years growing and making wonderful childhood memories in the hamlet of Nile.

He attended Friendship Central School, and after graduating in 1950 he set off for Harrisburg PA, working in Bowmans Department Store, wrapping gifts. His Christmas wrapping was always a masterpiece. Bill returned to Friendship in 1951 to take care of his parents after his father suffered a debilitating stroke. He lovingly cared for him and his mother for the rest of their lives.

In 1959, he met a beautiful red-headed girl named Marian Lanphere. They fell in love and were married on August 19, 1961. They had over 61 years of happiness together.

Bill went to work for the New York State Department of Transportation in 1951 and remained there until his retirement in 1988. He was also a life-long member of AFSCME, CSE Chapter 907; a former member of the Friendship Central School Board of Education; a past Trustee of the United Church of Friendship, and the First Baptist Church of Cuba; served on the Board of the Maple Grove Cemetery Association for 25 years; and was a current member of the Bournes Beach Association in Westfield New York and the Moose Lodge #118 of Westfield New York.

In addition to his wife Marian of 61 years, he is survived by his children, Lisa Clark (John Walchli) of Wellsville NY, and Mark (Kathleen) Clark of Long Beach CA; grandchildren: Annie Clark of Los Angeles CA, Ian Clark of Portland OR, Colette Clark of Long Beach CA, and John Walchli of Phoenix AZ; his in-laws Gordon & Bridgette Lanphere of Hammondsport NY, Margaret & Ford Easton of St Petersburg FL, Martha & James Burdick of Fredonia NY, as well as several dearly loved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers Wrayburn, Morris, George, and Myron; and his sisters Carmen Locke and Polly Wright.

Visitation will be held at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, 9 Bull Street, Cuba, NY on Friday, January 27, 2023, from 2 – 7pm. Funeral services will be held at the Cuba First Baptist Church, 17 South Street, Cuba, NY on Saturday January 28, 2023, at 11am. The Rev. Alexandra Freer will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jones Memorial Hospital Foundation, designating for the Comfort Care Room, 191 N Main Street, Wellsville NY 14895 or at www.urmc.rochester.edu/jones-memorial-hospital/giving , or to the Cuba Baptist Church, 17 South Street, Cuba NY 14727.