William H. Clark, Sr.

Born: 2/11/1926 Died: 4/26/2013 William H. Clark, Sr., age 87, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, April 26, 2013. Born in Atlanta, GA, on February 11, 1926, Bill graduated from Emory University and relocated to Delaware in 1950. He and his loving and devoted wife, Eunice, also an Atlanta native, called Delaware home for more than 62 years. Bill was a senior research chemist for Hercules/HIMONT for over 40 years, retiring in 1991. Bill also made his mark as a volunteer leader for five decades. He served as a school board member from 1966 until 1981 and held leadership positions on the Newark, New Castle County, and Christina boards. During his distinguished 15-year tenure, he spearheaded the establishment of Hodgson Vocational-Technical High School and was instrumental in the opening of the Margaret S. Sterck School for the Hearing Impaired and the creation of the summer library program. As a school board member, Bill respected the trust that the public held in him. In turn, he did everything in his power to improve our schools–for the students, parents, and teachers. Bill was an active member of Newark United Methodist Church (where he held several leadership posts), the Hercules Men’s Club, and the HIMONT Safety Club. In his retirement, he continued his extraordinary service to others. He was a longtime Delaware volunteer leader with AARP, chaired S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Lawmen Together) for New Castle County, and was selected as a senior intern in U.S. Senator William Roth’s Office. He also volunteered with Eunice at the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Above all, Bill was a devoted spouse and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was predeceased by his parents, John (J.P.) and Ruby Clark. In addition to wife Eunice, he is survived by daughters, Sharon Alvarez and husband Andy, and Linda Graham and husband Don; son, William Jr. and wife Jennie; grandchildren, David Graham and wife Casey, D. Jonathan Graham and fiancÃ©e Carly Isaac, Amy Alvarez, William K. Clark, and Julie Clark; great grandchildren, Mason, Blake, and Carter; sister, Marilyn Sewell; and nieces and nephews. The family thanks VITAS Hospice, the Christiana Care Visiting Nurse Association, Dr. David Maged, and Dr. Gaetano Pastore for their expertise and compassion during Bill’s illness. A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at the Newark United Methodist Church, 69 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19711. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Bill to the Newark United Methodist Church Renewing Our Foundation Building Fund at the address above.