William Burnette Clark

On February 12, 1927, on a chilly winter day, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, William Burnette Clark was born to Ivory and Mayor Clark. As a child William liked creating things out of mud and clay. Whatever supplies he was able to gather, he found a way to keep himself busy and entertained. He especially enjoyed making his own toys such as cars and wagons. When William became a teenager, he still enjoyed working with his hands. So much so, he held various jobs throughout his teens, delivering groceries on his bicycle, dishwasher in restaurants, working in clothing stores, caddying at golf courses and shining shoes at a pool parlor. William was known for always being stylishly dressed. Even as a teen, he wore Lincoln Big Boy Hats and tailored suits from New York. When he was much older, he always wore a pair of Stacey Adams or a nice, stylish pair of Florsheim Shoes and really "sharp" suits. William attended Booker T. Washington High School. There he played on their basketball team as a guard. And that is also where he met his sweetheart, Rebecca Smith. By the time William reached his late teens, he was trained as a plasterer. He continued plastering for over forty years. He was jokingly nicknamed "Squirrel" because he was the only one who could go up in a high ceiling to fireproof it before it was plastered. William helped plaster the Scope, Norfolk Airport and canopies at 7-Elevens. He always arrived at work at least one hour before anyone else. He married Rebecca Smith in the 1950's. From the union they had three daughters, Carolyn Clark Lawton, Brenda Clark Bond and Gwendolyn Clark. He had two grandchildren, Candace Lawton and Keith Bond, Jr. After retirement, William spent most of his free time working in the yard, doing arts and crafts and feeding stray cats. He also loved listening to Gospel and Soul music. He was especially close to his youngest daughter, Gwen. In fact, they were inseparable. You did not see one without the other. William Burnette Clark loved going to Joseph E. Parker Recreation Center and Master Hill's Red Dragon Martial Arts and Supply, Inc. to watch Gwen and others line dance and exercise. When he heard songs that he liked, William would "do his dance". He loved sitting on the porch talking to the neighbors and the three children who lived next door. A faithful member of New Bethel Baptist Church, he loved worshipping and praising the Lord. With fond memories of him, William leaves three daughters, two grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

William Burnette Clark

February 12, 1927 - March 31, 2024