Billy Eugene Clarke passed away on August 26th, 2021 at age 91, in Columbus, Georgia. Billy loved sports, playing football, basketball, and running track at Jordan Vocational High School, and playing football for the Berlin Bears while stationed with the army in Berlin, Germany. Later, he coached the army’s athletic teams while stationed in Giessen, Germany, and, as an avid swimmer and Water Safety Instructor, was affectionately called the “World’s Oldest Lifeguard.”
Billy was drafted into the army and deployed to Korea, he then re-enlisted and was stationed in Berlin, Germany in 1961, then deployed to Vietnam. He retired at Ft. Benning, Georgia with 22 years of military service. Billy then retired from Civil Service after overseeing gym operations and Water Safety Instruction at Ft. Benning for over 15 years.
Billy is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Lee Duke Clarke. He is also survived by a son, Barrie Clarke (Liz) and a daughter, Claire O’Connor, as well as five grandchildren, Hugh O’Connor, Clarke O’Connor (Mandy), Bryndon, Kaitlyn, and Sarah Clarke, one great grandchild, Clarke O’Connor. Billy was predeceased by his mother, Vita Connell Clarke, and his sister, Barbara Clarke Ray.
Visitation will be held at Striffler-Hamby on Macon Road on Monday, August 30, between 5 and 7 PM. Graveside service will be Tuesday, August 31, at 11 AM at Parkhill Cemetery.
