Obituary: William K. Clark, 91, of Wallingford

From B.C. Bailey Funeral Home

William K. Clark, 91, of Wallingford, passed away on October 15, 2016 at Masonicare Healthcare Center in Wallingford. He was the loving husband of Jean Ruffer Clark.

Bill was born in New Haven, on May 25, 1925, a son of the late Arthur and Ethel Kilbourne Clark. He was a direct descendant of John Hall, who on January 31, 1669 was a signer of the covenant to establish the Town of Wallingford, and who was a first deacon of the Wallingford Congregational Church.

Bill attended Hamden schools and the University of Connecticut and graduated from the University of Bridgeport. He was a veteran of WWII serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force, stationed at Horsham St. Faith, England. He was an aerial gunner on a B-24 Liberator and completed 19 combat missions.

Bill was an employee of the New Departure division of General Motors Corp. for 30 years in Bristol and Meriden and held various supervisory positions. He was an active and longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Wallingford and a member of Compass Lodge #9, AF & AM in Wallingford.

Bill was an avid fan of the UConn Huskies, the New York Giants, Frank Sinatra, the Big Bands, and Dixieland Jazz. Traveling was one of Bill's pleasures and with Jean had wonderful memories of travels in the United States, Europe, and Egypt.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children: Kendall Clark of Wallingford, Jocelyn Michaud of Bristol, and Alison Spinelli of Simsbury, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Shirley Barske.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 23 South Main Street, in Wallingford. Interment will be private at Centerville Cemetery in Hamden.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be made to the First Congregational Church of Wallingford. The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford has been entrusted with arrangements.

To leave online condolences, visit B.C. Bailey Funeral Home here.

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