CHELSEA – Willard S. Clark Jr., 90, died Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at his home after a long illness, with his family at his side. He was born Dec. 31, 1922, in Guilford, son of Willard Sr. and Louisa Wyman Clark.
Willard was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He served aboard the USS Ticonderoga in the Pacific, earning the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with four stars, American Theater Medal, three-star Combat Air Crew Wings, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also served in the Naval Reserves. He was employed by the veterans’ hospital at Togus, retiring in 1980 after 30 years of service. He was also employed as a milker by a dairy farm, by local shoe factories, and as a wood harvester teamster. Willard served as the animal control officer for the town of Chelsea. He was a volunteer firefighter, deputy fire warden and a charter member, and fire chief of the Chelsea Fire Department. He was also a past master and seventh degree member of Chelsea Grange. He was an avid gardener. He loved hunting, fishing and spending time at his camp in Rangeley.
He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Phyllis Starbird Clark; and brother, Henry Clark. He is survived by four children, Thomas “Skip” Clark and wife, Lois, of Randolph, Duane Clark and fiancée, Sheila, of Carmel, Ted Clark and wife, Deb, of Chelsea, and Jani Clark, of Chelsea; sisters-in-law, Claire Clark of Westminster, Colo., and Dorothy Sproul of Chelsea; brother-in-law, Donald Clough and wife, Sylvia, of West Gardiner; nine grandchildren; 11 1/2 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family thanks Jani and her children for their unconditional and selfless loving care provided to Willard.
A celebration of his life will be held 1 p.m. Monday, May 13, at Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Winthrop Street, Augusta. Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.
Willard S. Clark Jr.
