In Memory Of
William Clark
William Clark
William "Harley" Clark, 88, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2010 at a Topeka care facility. He was born on December 17, 1921 in Topeka, the son of Walter and Lena Faye Barnes Clark. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1940 and the University of Kansas School of Engineering in 1949.
Harley was an Army veteran of WWII, serving overseas in France and Germany as a 1st Lt. with the 17th Airborne Division. He was awarded two battle stars, Arrowhead for invasion of Germany, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injury received on March 24, 1945 in Germany. After recuperating in a hospital in Belgium, he was sent back to active duty in Germany. He was headed for the Pacific when the war ended and came back to Ft. Bragg and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne. Harley was discharged in November, 1946.
After graduating from the University of Kansas in 1949, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railway and retired from the Research and Development Dept. in 1986. Harley was a talented musician. He played the violin through high school and later played the euphonium in the Santa Fe Band for 47 years. He also played in the Shrine Band, the Topeka Polka Band, the Fairlawn Road Swing Band and the North Topeka Band.
Harley married Marilynn H. Grassick on August 22, 1942. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters; Carol (David) Hawkins of Lavon, TX, Joan (Jim) Spaulding of Dallas, TX, two sons; Tom (Maggie) Clark of Garden City, MO, Donald (Karen) Clark of St. Louis, MO; twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and one sister; Mary Bogle of Loma Linda, CA. Harley was preceded in death by one brother, Gene Clark and one sister, Constance Buechner.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where military honors will be presented by a burial detail from Fort Riley, Kansas. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the organization of the donor's choice.
Harley was an Army veteran of WWII, serving overseas in France and Germany as a 1st Lt. with the 17th Airborne Division. He was awarded two battle stars, Arrowhead for invasion of Germany, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injury received on March 24, 1945 in Germany. After recuperating in a hospital in Belgium, he was sent back to active duty in Germany. He was headed for the Pacific when the war ended and came back to Ft. Bragg and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne. Harley was discharged in November, 1946.
After graduating from the University of Kansas in 1949, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railway and retired from the Research and Development Dept. in 1986. Harley was a talented musician. He played the violin through high school and later played the euphonium in the Santa Fe Band for 47 years. He also played in the Shrine Band, the Topeka Polka Band, the Fairlawn Road Swing Band and the North Topeka Band.
Harley married Marilynn H. Grassick on August 22, 1942. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters; Carol (David) Hawkins of Lavon, TX, Joan (Jim) Spaulding of Dallas, TX, two sons; Tom (Maggie) Clark of Garden City, MO, Donald (Karen) Clark of St. Louis, MO; twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and one sister; Mary Bogle of Loma Linda, CA. Harley was preceded in death by one brother, Gene Clark and one sister, Constance Buechner.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where military honors will be presented by a burial detail from Fort Riley, Kansas. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the organization of the donor's choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Clark, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
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