William Beryl Clark

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William Beryl Clark was born on July 4, 1927 in Maquon, Illinois to parents Blondelle Cope and Glenn Ray Clark.  He passed away on April 1, 2021 in Dallas, Texas.  William “Bill” Clark lived a life full of LIFE. Bill wasn’t one to sit idle, even the week just before passing.  If he could be moving and going, he was.

He graduated from Maquon High School.  Bill enlisted in United States Army on December 14, 1945.  He was discharged June 1, 1950 and then enlisted in Army Reserve on June 20, 1950. He retired from the Army reserves in July 1976 as a Lieutenant Colonel.  Bill served our Country with pride as a revered leader to those under his command.

Bill attended the University of Illinois from 1952 – 1955 where he met Jacqueline Leonard while working together at the University Health Center.  They were married on May 21, 1955.

He worked as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for Shaw, Stout, and Tobin in Galesburg, Illinois.  He became a partner with Tobin, Clark, & Flanagan until the firm merged with McGladrey, Hendrickson, & Pullin.

Bill moved to Plano Texas in late 1979 and invested in and worked at a Food Manufacturing company. He retired from there and went back to accounting at different friend’s offices.

After retiring, yet again, he completed the H & R Block Income Tax Course, which consisted of 60 hours of comprehensive tax topics. He graduated at the top of his class and became an H & R Block advisor for the next 7 years. All of this was done in his 80’s.

Bill belonged to the Kiwanis Club of Plano and was a Distinguished Past President and a past Lt. Governor for Texas/Oklahoma District 37.  He was a member of the Plano Masonic Lodge #768, Sweet Home Lodge #576 and several professional organizations including the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.

He was a trusted colleague and businessman with the utmost integrity in all endeavors. He was the friend everyone wanted, always taking care of anyone who needed a helping hand.

Bill and Jackie were some of the first members of Custer Road United Methodist Church, first meeting in school classrooms before they built the beautiful building they are in now.  They belonged to the Covenant Class and had many happy stories and close relationships with the members.

In 2009, they sold their home of 30 years in Country Place and moved to Highland Springs retirement community. There, he was a member of many groups including the Interfaith Council.

He and Jackie loved to travel and spend time with the kids and grandkids.  They were both secure in their faith and had accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts.

Bill was the patriarch of his family instilling admirable character for generations to come. Throughout his years he demonstrated the sweetest display of unconditional love through his marriage to Jackie and how he cared for her until her passing and even after.  He was often on the phone or writing letters to family, friends and colleagues just to check in and make sure they knew they were being thought of. He was sure to sit with his kids and grandkids and reminisce, still sharp as ever with dates and memories, being sure you learned something from his lessons. Bill’s quick wit and sense of humor was something his family adored. Bill will be sorely missed be everyone.

Bill is survived by his children, Steve (Dianne) Clark of Wolfe City, Texas, Cindy (Randy) Wright of Plano, Texas and Kathy (Bill) Fix of Parker, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter and his sister, Helen Peek of Elburn, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bondelle and Glenn Clark; wife, Jackie Clark and siblings, Glenn Ray Clark, Eldon Clark, Irene Sherman, Gerald Clark and Harold Clark.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 21, 2021 at Custer Road United Methodist Church, 6601 Custer Road, Plano, Texas 75023.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations, in Bill’s name, to Treasured Times at Custer Road United Methodist Church.