William ‘Bill’ D. Clarke, 98, of Hazel Green, AL, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Bill was born and raised in Memphis, TN. He met his future wife, Jane, in Seattle, WA while they were both students at the University of Washington. His first date with Jane was to watch the boats go through the locks in Bremerton, WA. They shared a dream of owning a farm together and bought a farm in Hazel Green, AL after moving from Dallas, TX in 1961. They knew nothing about farming, but managed to raise cows, pigs, chickens, and crops anyway. He encouraged and supported Jane’s dream to go back to college where she eventually became a registered nurse. They were married, until her death in 1998, almost 50 years. He and Jane fulfilled another dream and took a year to travel around the world.
Bill had a long career in the aerospace industry. He designed control systems for fighter jets, Saturn V rockets and the space shuttle. Everywhere he went, he saw engineering problems to solve, always asking himself “Why do you suppose they designed it that way?” He had four degrees in engineering, including a PhD in Engineering Mechanics. He also taught engineering classes at Alabama A&M after he retired. He was in the Navy and loved anything to do with boats and the water.
Bill always explored new things like beekeeping and hay farming. He founded the Optimist Club band instrument program so local children could have an opportunity to learn how to play an instrument. He loved poetry and could recite many of them by heart. He would routinely pick a topic and study it thoroughly – one year it was philosophers, another year it was economists.
He always supported his grandchildren’s endeavors whether it was higher ed, music education or participation in rowing.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jane. He is survived by his children, Matt, Mark, Margaret, and Luke; as well as his grandchildren, Lauren, Amy, Emma and Clarke.
Visitation will be at the Church of the Nativity at 208 Eustis Ave. SE in Huntsville, AL on Monday, 08/14, at 1:00 pm, followed by a service at the church at 2:00 pm officiation by the Rev. Worth Stewart. Burial will be at 3:00 pm at Maple Hill Cemetery at 202 Maple Hill St. SE in Huntsville, AL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).
