Billy Max Clark

Billy Max Clark was born February 22, 1929 in Kellogg, Iowa to Taylor and Amelia Clark. Billy had a twin sister Betty, brothers Bob, Ray, Vernon and Dale, sister Ruth; making one Big Happy Family. Bill is a Veteran of the Korean War, serving the US Air Force. He was stationed in Japan on his last tour and was offered Technical Sergeant or Officer Training School positions at the end of his four-year term. However, his passion for higher education led him to his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Iowa. At the age of 39 years old, Bill still had enough aspiration to continue his college by completing his Ph.D. in Education at Iowa State University. Bill’s forward and creative thinking produced many amazing educational programs and in turn he was recognized by state and national peers with numerous awards. Bill was quite “The Music Man” (he was in the musical). He sang and performed throughout his life. Also starring in the productions of “My Fair Lady, Doctor Zhivago, The Last Supper, Oklahoma” and many more. He participated in many choirs and was a member of a Barbershop Quartet. Bill was in the Masonic Lodge Organization and then became a member of Kiwanis of West Des Moines and Ahwatukee. Along with being the President of the Ahwatukee Chapter, Bill served three terms as a Lieutenant General of a tri-state area. Bill had compassion for “Reading is Fundamental” and community service. Bill enjoyed so a variety of hobbies and activities which included family and grandkids, golfing with cronies, tennis, fishing/hunting, blackjack in Las Vegas, traveling, exploring, cribbage, music and sporting events. Even though he was a bit technologically challenged (he really tried) …he loved his iPhone and PC computer. FaceTime and Facebook were not his forte although he made many attempts to master. Other modern devices were less of a priority. Always surrounded by family and friends, he found goodness, kindness and laughter with everyone. Billy Max Clark and Elinor Christine Clark were married for 59 blissful years. They had two amazing kids; Steven Jay and Diane Kay (kudos to us as we write this), Seven grandkids-Leah, Emilio, Tatiana, Kristi, Carlo, Paolo, Patricia. Six great grandkids- Ben, Leana, Dylan, Dane, Cameron, Isabelle and one great grandchild, “bun in the oven”, due April 24, 2020. There are not enough words to express the life of this GREAT Man. “The idea is to die young as late as possible”- Montagu…and he did just that!