Col. William "Bill" Ray Clark

was born on May 19, 1931 and passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026 at the age of 94.

Bill was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, graduating from Central High School and then attending the University of Arkansas. In Middle School Bill met the girl that would become the love of his life, Carolyn Thurman, They were friends for many years and then dated and married. Their love story continued for 69 years of marriage.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, who passed 3 years ago. He is survived by his daughter Carol Kinstle and her husband Joe, of Marietta, Georgia and son Ray Clark and his wife Ellen of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alex Kinstle, Will Clark and Callaway Clark.

Bill served in the military for more than 30 years in a distinguished career in the Arkansas Army National Guard where he rose through the ranks to become a Colonel and the Chief Logistics Officer for the State of Arkansas, retiring at age 55.

Bill and his family were led by their faith and regularly attended Pulaski Heights Methodist Church in Little Rock, then Lakewood United Methodist Church in North Little Rock. When Bill and Carolyn moved to Dallas to be closer to family, they joined Highland Park Methodist Church. Bill served in leadership positions at each church.

Bill was incredibly proud of his close knit family, their love for each other and their accomplishments. As he and Carolyn raised their family, they fully shared all they had. They taught love and friendship by example. They taught Ray and Carol to be life-long learners and to have a strong work ethic. And they also had a lot of fun together, sometimes it was big trips together, other times it was just non-stop laughter around the dinner table.

Bill and Carolyn were very loving parents and grandparents, participating in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives whenever possible. Bill is overwhelmingly remembered by most as an extraordinarily nice and kind man. He was very service oriented and supportive. He had so many friends because he could always be counted on, he was there for his friends and truly cared for each and every one of them. In his retirement he served in Rotary and on the Board of the Salvation Army and was part of a church group that visited the sick in the hospital.

Most of all Bill will be remembered as an Enthusiastic Optimist, he was "all in" on so many things that involved his family. There was no bigger fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks than Bill Clark. He took his family to hundreds of games, all across the county, wearing red, cheering his Razorbacks on through wins and losses, always optimistic about winning and loyally saying "y'all our team will be great next year."

Bill relished time Bass Fishing and had some of the best “fishing buddies” a man could ask for.

He also took great pleasure in days spent at Thoroughbred Horse Racing tracks. Bill was lucky in so many ways, but he was extremely lucky with the horses.

Bill loved looking at all his photographs of travel and family and friends, but his smile was the biggest when he looked at the pictures of his three grandchildren who he loved and enjoyed so much. Bill carried in his wallet, the engagement photo of his wife Carolyn, all these many years. He also held onto his many ribbons, medals and awards for his military achievement and service. So as Bill passed during Holy Week, we were given a strong reminder of the reunion in Heaven we will have because of the resurrection of Jesus. We celebrate Bill’s reunion today and we celebrate the life of a dedicated Christian, husband, father, grandfather, patriot who served his country, a friend, and a really good man who lived a very good life, loved by so many.