William W. Clarke

William W. CLARKE 1925 ~ 2011 Bill died but we speak of him in the present tense because he remains in the hearts and heads of his family and friends. We will remember him for his humor, his sense of justice, his constancy and compassion. A native of Berkeley, California, Bill served in the Pacific during World War II and graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Washington. Bill was a newspaper reporter, public relations man for the Apollo moon-shot rockets and the roll out of the Boeing 747. He was woodworker, novelist, mariner and boat builder. He and his wife of 63 years, Barbara, amazed family and friends when they retired in their fifties and built a 50-foot wooden ketch from the centerline up. They lived aboard "Fortune" for twenty plus years on Lake Union and sailed the inland waters of Washington and Canada. Bill was a fixer of anything and could turn a chunk of wood into a beautiful and functional piece of art. He had a keen taste for beer and the New York Times crossword puzzle which he completed daily. Bill left a legacy of lighthearted playfulness and a serious, compassionate attention to those he encountered as well as for fairness and equality in the world. Bill is survived by; his wife Barbara, daughters Mallory, Lucy, and Ann; Lucy's husband Larry Hendel, Ann's partner Rob Komoto, grandchildren Kellen, Rachael and Riley and a myriad of nephews, nieces, in-laws and fans. A celebration of Bill's life will be held March 18th from 6:00 to 9:00p.m. at the Lake Forest Park Civic Club in North Seattle.