Obituary of William Monroe Clark

William “Bill” Monroe Clark, 84, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2014. He was born December 23, 1929. He was the youngest of 6 children. He served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War. After his military service, Bill went to Michigan State University on the G.I. Bill. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business before going to work at Dow Chemical, where he met his loving wife of 56 years, Merla. Bill soon went to work for Union Pump Company and held a variety of sales and management positions before retiring at 57. Bill was an avid fly fisherman and loved fishing for rainbow trout on his annual vacations. After retirement, Bill and Merla enjoyed traveling around in their RV visiting family and historical points of interest. National Parks were favorite spots to stop for a while, camping and hiking and being outdoors enjoying God’s creation. He liked learning about American history and spending time with his beloved dog “Poki.” Bill was excellent on his computer and studied the stock markets daily. He was an excellent provider for his family and was a true role model to his children. Bill was wise and patient and always managed to see the good in everything around him. He was a constant source of strength to his wife and served as the patriarch and together they coordinated for many family gatherings. Bill was affectionately known to his grandchildren as “Papa.” He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. He is preceded in death his parents, Floyd and Mae Clark and his three brothers and two sisters. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Merla Clark and his 3 children. He has 2 sons William “Bill” Clark II and wife Jill, and Robert Clark and wife Kim, and one daughter Kimberly Livingston. He has 11 grandchildren, Peter Clark, Dylan Clark, Chelsea Kennedy and husband Joma, Caleb Mendez, Casey Clark, Emma Clark, Lily Clark, Chandler Clark, Andrew Clark, Justin Livingston and Ashley Livingston. He has one great-granddaughter, Charlotte Kennedy. He has a host of other family and friends. A visitation and rosary for Bill will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. The visitation will be held from 3:00 until 5:00 pm with the Rosary recited at 3:30 pm. The funeral mass will take place at 10am on Monday, July 28, 2014 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 6502 County Road 48, Manvel, Texas 77578. Interment with military honors will follow at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in his memory at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/