William Roy (Bill) Clark
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Clark on December 25th , 2016.
Born in Nanaimo on June 23, 1941 to Annie and Ernie Clark he was the first of four siblings. They grew up on Nicoll St in southend Nanaimo with his brothers Rod and Dave and his sister Joy. He married wife (of 51 years) Arlene (Alcock) in 1965 and built their home on Overlook Dr in Hammond bay in 1968 where he lived until his passing and where they raised their two children Lana and Troy.
Bill was a butcher by trade and started work at a young age with his father in their family meat business Clarks Meat Market. He had a passion for business, enjoying customers and staff and later opened his own meat cutting businesses in the Harewood and bowen Rd Co-op’s.
Some of his other passions included sailing, racing, cruising, boat building and generaly anything to do with boats on the water. He was always up for a new challenge or adventure or just lend a hand.
He completed the seemingly impossilble task of building a sailboat in his frontyard with the lauch of Tzinquaw III in 1977 and for many years after crusied the coast of BC with his family during the summer months. Curcumnavigating Vancouver Island twice, Queen Charlotte Islands, Ocean Falls, Gardner canal and many if not all crusing destinations on the BC coast. His joy of cruising cummulated with a year long expidition off the coast of California, Mexico and Hawaii in 1984, 1985.
In his late 50’s Bill developed many serious health complications arising from his lifelong battle with diabetes but he still managed to persevere. His conditions kept him of only dreaming of sailing but his resolve to live created new hobbies like carpentry and gardening.
Bill was a incorrigible prankster always joking with friends and family and will be remembered for his unyielding sense of humour, anything for a laugh. And for his passion for life, he packed the equivalent of two or three lifetimes into his time with us.
He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife Arlene, daughter Lana and son Troy. Brothers Rod and Dave and sister Joy (Leith) and grandchildren Selayna, Madison, Rylie and Quin and his many nieces and nephews.
Thanks for all the great times Dad, Papa, Bill.
A service will be held at the Nanaimo Yacht Club on Friday January 6th from 2-4 pm.
In leu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choosing.