William Thomas Clark

William Thomas "W.T." Clark of Ashland,VA, who was a devoted husband and father,departed this life on March 23,2015 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Wilson,NC on November 7,1937,to the late William and Katie Elliott Clark. He was also predeceased by his sisters,Romaine Brown,Elaine Carter,Addie Sherrod and brother Offie Clark. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years,Alice Bazemore Clark. He also leaves to cherish fond memories,daughters Kymberly Clark Hairston,of Laurel,MD,Lisa ClarkReynolds(Eugene II) of Gastonia,NC,and son Christopher Clark of Silver Spring,MD. He was affectionately called PopPop by his grandchildren,Alora Shepard,Erika Hairston,Eugene Reynolds III and Christian Reynolds,and great-grandson Omari Shepard. He also leaves a sister,Geraldine Pettyjohn of Sharon Hill,PA,a brother Milton Grady (Jessie) of Greensboro,NC, and a host of nieces,nephews,cousins,relatives and friends. He served in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer. After returning from duty in Verdun,France,he and his young family settled in Brooklyn,NY. He then realized that he needed more formal education than his original associate degree from Voorhees College in South Carolina where he was a standout athlete in both football and track. The growing family then moved to Richmond,VA where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Virginia Union University. Clark retired as a Project Planner from the Virginia Department of Correction in 2001 after over 25 years of service. He always admonished young people to “put me out of business”, as he did not want to build more prisons. Clark, an avid reader, loved to travel throughout the Midwest, which he did upon retiring. On his cross country trek, he visited Indian reservations and historical black settlements, which he truly enjoyed. And, he loved taking “your” picture, but you dare not take his! He also loved attending track meets wherever he could find one, especially when his children competed. Or he could be found sitting and admiring his masterpiece, “his church”, his yard. Clark was a faithful VUU Panther, with the Virginia Union University Boosters Club, traveling with the boosters in support of his “Maroon and Grey”. Clark inspired supported and guided a great a great many people. We will truly miss him.

Tributes

William Thomas Clark

November 7, 1937 - March 23, 2015