In Memory Of
W. Roy Clark
W. Roy Clark
W. Roy "Bill" Clark, 94, Topeka, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at Brewster Place.
He was born December 7, 1916 in Topeka, the son of Roy H. and Bessie May Cook Clark, and graduated from Seaman High School in 1936.
In 1940, Bill enlisted in the 125th field artillery of the Kansas National Guard knowing they were mobilizing on December 23, 1940 into federal service. In 17 months he was 1st Sgt of 1st Bn Hg Battery of 788th field artillery. The first four years he helped train six different field artillery outfits before he was sent to Europe for combat in 1944, where he served for a year. After returning to Topeka, he joined the National Guard, 195th field artillery group (8" Howitzer) as communication officer. Five years later he resigned as a 1st Lt.
In the fall of 1946, Bill joined his father, Roy Clark, who owned Roy Clark Tailoring Company. He learned the tailoring trade and in 1948 he opened Roy Clark's Men's Wear as manager and partner. In 1957, he became sole owner of the company. He operated Roy Clarks Men's Wear until May, 1972, when he sold the business to go to Florida and the condominium business.
While owner of Roy Clarks Men's Wear, he was involved with the following civic organizations: Board of Directors & Secretary of the Junior Chamber of Commerce; on the board of the Topeka Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Military Affairs Committee as liaison with Forbes Air Force Base; charter member and board member of Topeka Cosmopolitan Club; member of Shawnee Country Club; board member and vice-president of Downtown Topeka; board member and vice-president of Topeka SME; secretary and board member of Northeast Kansas Better Business Bureau. He also served as a board member of both the Association of US Army and the US Air Force Association.
He was a member of Capital Post #1 American Legion, and a Life member of Philip Billard Post #1650 V.F.W. He was a past member of Orient Lodge #51 AF&AM and the Arab Shrine, where he served as finance officer of the Legion of Honor and member of the Provost Guard.
He married Myrtle Campmier. They were divorced. On August 7, 1978, he married Roberta "Bobbe" Young. She died March 22, 2005. He also was preceded in death by three sisters, Anita Towslee, Katherine Walters, Virginia George and a granddaughter, Julie Robinson.
Survivors include three daughters, Judy Craig and Pamela (Ron) Shelor, both of Topeka, and Robin (Robert) Fernkopf of Holton; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and a special friend, Nancy Perih of Topeka.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Private inurnment will be in Resurrection Columbarium at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Arab Shrine Travel Fund, 1305 South Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612.
He was born December 7, 1916 in Topeka, the son of Roy H. and Bessie May Cook Clark, and graduated from Seaman High School in 1936.
In 1940, Bill enlisted in the 125th field artillery of the Kansas National Guard knowing they were mobilizing on December 23, 1940 into federal service. In 17 months he was 1st Sgt of 1st Bn Hg Battery of 788th field artillery. The first four years he helped train six different field artillery outfits before he was sent to Europe for combat in 1944, where he served for a year. After returning to Topeka, he joined the National Guard, 195th field artillery group (8" Howitzer) as communication officer. Five years later he resigned as a 1st Lt.
In the fall of 1946, Bill joined his father, Roy Clark, who owned Roy Clark Tailoring Company. He learned the tailoring trade and in 1948 he opened Roy Clark's Men's Wear as manager and partner. In 1957, he became sole owner of the company. He operated Roy Clarks Men's Wear until May, 1972, when he sold the business to go to Florida and the condominium business.
While owner of Roy Clarks Men's Wear, he was involved with the following civic organizations: Board of Directors & Secretary of the Junior Chamber of Commerce; on the board of the Topeka Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Military Affairs Committee as liaison with Forbes Air Force Base; charter member and board member of Topeka Cosmopolitan Club; member of Shawnee Country Club; board member and vice-president of Downtown Topeka; board member and vice-president of Topeka SME; secretary and board member of Northeast Kansas Better Business Bureau. He also served as a board member of both the Association of US Army and the US Air Force Association.
He was a member of Capital Post #1 American Legion, and a Life member of Philip Billard Post #1650 V.F.W. He was a past member of Orient Lodge #51 AF&AM and the Arab Shrine, where he served as finance officer of the Legion of Honor and member of the Provost Guard.
He married Myrtle Campmier. They were divorced. On August 7, 1978, he married Roberta "Bobbe" Young. She died March 22, 2005. He also was preceded in death by three sisters, Anita Towslee, Katherine Walters, Virginia George and a granddaughter, Julie Robinson.
Survivors include three daughters, Judy Craig and Pamela (Ron) Shelor, both of Topeka, and Robin (Robert) Fernkopf of Holton; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and a special friend, Nancy Perih of Topeka.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Private inurnment will be in Resurrection Columbarium at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Arab Shrine Travel Fund, 1305 South Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of W. Roy Clark, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Friday, July 29, 2011
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
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