Obituary: Ivan William Clark, 78, Of Groton

Written by Byles-MacDougall Funeral Service

Ivan William “Bill” Clark, 78, of Groton died unexpectedly Sunday March 18, 2018 at his home in Groton. Bill was born June 13, 1939 in New London, Connecticut, the second of three sons of Marion R. (Lawrence) Clark and William I. Clark. His brothers, Everett and James, as well as his parents, have since passed away.

Bill attended schools in Philadelphia and Groton, where he graduated from Robert E. Fitch High School in 1956. After graduation, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and served three years as an antiaircraft radar technician at Fort Bliss, Texas near El Paso, where he met and married his wife Delia M. Gonzales in 1958.

Bill has three sons- Dr. Anthony J. Clark, and his wife Karen, who live in Thomasville, GA, Daniel J. Clark and his wife Vicki, who lives in Boise, Idaho and William I. Clark who lives with his lady Deborah in Thomaston, CT, a niece Katherine Obey of Gales Ferry, CT, a nephew James Clark of Hopkinton, RI, 13 Grandchildren and two Great Grandchildren.

After his discharge from the Army, Bill moved his family to Groton where he worked as a chemical operator at Pfizer for two years. The family then returned to El Paso, Texas, where Bill was employed by the NCR Company as a computer service engineer for 11 years.

After his Father’s death, Bill and family moved back to Connecticut to be near his mother. He once again found employment at Pfizer. After four years at Pfizer, Bill found a position as an electronic technician at Electric Boat where he spent 26 years and from which he retired in 2002.

Bill enlisted in the Connecticut Army National Guard in 1974, at the age of 36 and retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class in 1995. He attended Mitchell College in New London, CT from 1976 until 1979 and graduated summa cum laude with an Associate of Science degree in Public Administration.

Bill was a long time member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists. He was a member of Bishop Seabury Church in Groton.

Bill entered Masonry on October 5, 1996 at Bay View Lodge #120, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft on February 15, 1997 and was raised to Sublime Degree of Master Mason March 15, 1997. He served his Lodge as Steward, Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, Junior Warden, Senior Warden and as Worshipful Master of the Bay View Lodge #120 for 2004. He was currently Secretary of the Lodge.

Bill was a member of the York Rite. He has served as Excellent High Priest for two years in Union Chapter #7 and was currently serving as Grand Custodian of the Grand Chapter of Connecticut for District one. He was recently installed for his second term as Eminent Commandery #6 and was a member of the Ancient, Accepted Scottish Rite where he served the Valley of Norwich as the Thrice Potent Master of the Lodge of Perfection.

He was president of the 8th District Blue Lodge Council and was a member of New London Chapter #58, National Sojourners, Inc. and the Hero’s of “76”. Brother Clark only wishes the pay was a little better.

Visitation will be held Thursday March 22, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Byles Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street in Groton. Funeral Services are Friday, March 23, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church, 625 Poquonnock Road in Groton. Burial will take place in Smith Lake Cemetery in Groton with Military Honors.

Please visit www.byles.com to sign the online register or to share a memory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s honor to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.

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