William Edward Clark, 91, passed away
peacefully on July 31. He was born on Oct. 8,
1927, to Robert and Francis (DeLoney) Clark
in Rock Springs. He was the youngest of three
children, having a brother Robert and a sister
Willa, growing up in Pinedale.
After graduating high school, he attended
the University of Wyoming, September 1944
to February 1947, and he enlisted into the
U.S. Navy, July 1945 to June 11, 1954. He
earned the rank of Lt. Aviator at the time he
was discharged. While in the Navy, he traveled
worldwide. He flew planes on and off aircraft
carriers. He was a photo reconnaissance pilot
in the Korean War, receiving several medals,
including an Air medal with one gold star.
He completed several college and post-grad
courses during his time in the Navy. After his
discharge he attended San Diego State University,
graduating in 1956 with a degree in electronic engineering.
On Sept. 21, 1955, he joined Convair in San Diego as a field service engineer to work on and
to train field service personnel on the F-102 and F-106 Flight Control Systems. He transferred
to Convair in Fort Worth, Texas, April 1950 to October 1961, to work in the Field Operations
on the F-102 and B-58 Flight Control Systems as a senior aerosystems engineer. He moved
to Pinedale, October 1961 to May 1965, to operate his parent’s clothing store. He returned to
General Dynamics, Fort Worth, to work, May 1965 to May 1970, on F-111 Flight Control
Systems as a senior aerosystems engineer.
From May 1970 to October 1974, he lived in Pinedale, working for the city in the zoning
department. From October 1974 to Oct. 21, 1993, he worked for General Dynamics at Edwards
Air Force Base in Lancaster, Calif., working on the F-16 Flight Control Systems and was promoted
to DesGroup specialist.
Bill had an extensive and successful career with General Dynamics until he retired. He also
lived in Miles City, Mont., for a while, and then moved to Mesquite, Nev. where he resided
until moving to Columbus, Mont., to live with his son Wayne and daughter-in-law Julie Clark
in April 2017.
Bill was married to Lynn (Tolle) Clark from 1951 to 1965, having six children and all of
whom he helped deliver in their home. He married again for a short time in the 1970s. He resided
in Mesquite with Faye Seaman, having been together for longer than 18 years, until her
passing in November 2016.
Bill loved his dogs “Swifty and Rusty,” who brought him great joy and companionship.
Over the years, he loved buying new cars, especially red Mustangs, and sometimes even traded
them in after the first oil change. He especially loved his last car, a beautiful red Lincoln.
He enjoyed the last years of his life living in Columbus, Mont., on the 60-acre Clark Ranch
on the Yellowstone River. He loved seeing horses and goats every morning as well as wildlife
like deer, turkey and bald eagles to name a few coming through the pastures. He loved hearing
and seeing trains going by on the other side of the river. He enjoyed having his dogs with him
as well as the other four dogs and a cat already residing at the ranch. He especially loved sunny
days with blue skies.
Bill was preceded in death by his oldest son Mark and youngest son Duke. He leaves behind
his remaining children, Marna Lainoff, Eugene, Ore., Wayne (Julie) Clark, Columbus,
Mont., Diana French, Meeker, Colo., Gordon Clark, Encino, Calif., 19 grandchildren and 28
great-grandchildren.
“We love you “Dad” and will miss you!”
Celebration of Life
Sept. 7, 2019 at 11 a.m.
at Pinedale Cemetery in Pinedale, Wyoming.
Followed by a reception
at the Pinedale VFW, 1033 W. Pine St. at 12 p.m.
for family and close friends to share memories and stories.
