William J. Clarke
May 4, 1918 - July 6, 2009
Obituary
WILLIAM J. CLARKE, JR.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Bill was born May 4, 1918 in Butte, Montana, he passed away July 6, 2009 in Federal Way, WA. After high school he spent a brief time in the Anaconda copper mines and the Civilian Conservation Corps in Glacier Park. He married Esther Anne Beatty in 1940; they were married for 64 years. Bill and Esther enjoyed ballroom, folk, Latin dancing and took many cruises. After moving to Bremerton, WA, Bill worked as hoist and portable engineer at Bangor Ammunition Depot, now the Trident Nuclear Base. He then delivered for Arden Farms to wholesale grocers and stores in Kitsap County for 10 years. A 25 year career in production control allowed Bill to retire from Boeing after a move to Seattle in 1958. A devout Catholic, Bill was a 50 year member of the Knights of Columbus, prayed the Rosary daily as he went on his walks.
Bill is survived by his son W. Gary Terri, daughter Judy ClirehughMark, grandchildren Tim, Sally Sylvester, Scott Stacy, Todd Stacy; great-grandchildren Haley, Liam Senari, Sekula, Zoe, Abby. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved Esther in 2004.
Rosary at Bonney Watson, Federal Way, July 14, 6pm, Funeral Mass July 15, 10:30am, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Federal Way. In lieu of flowers Bill requested donations to Franciscan Hospice, 2901 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, WA 98466.