Brother A. William Clapham

CLAPHAM, BROTHER A. WILLIAM, FSC, 89, of the Scalabrini Residence, North Kingstown, RI., died Wednesday night at South County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Binghamton, NY, son of the late Joseph E. And Margaret Clapham, he was baptized Joseph Ebenezer Clapham. He was the brother of the late Letite Stalker. He leaves a brother, James Clapham of Endell, NY, a brother-in-law, Gerald Stalker, and a niece, Mary Bernard.

Before entering the Brothers of the Christian Schools in 1946, Brother William served in the US Army in the European Theater during World War 11 and received several decorations. He entered the novitiate at Barrytown, NY on 12 June, 1946 and received the habit in September of that year. He pronounced his final vows in 1952 in Oakdale, NY.

Brother William received his bachelor of arts degree in history and English from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC in 1952, and received a master's degree in reading in 1960 from New York University in New York City. Brother then pursued further studies in special education at Syracuse University.

Brother William began his teaching career at Good Shepherd Elementary School in Bronx, NY. In 1953 Brother was assigned to La Salle Military Academy, Oakdale, NY and spent the next 47 years there serving in many different positions. Brother retired and moved to Rhode Island in 2000.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Star Chapel, Christian Brothers Center, Narragansett. Burial will be in the cemetery at the Center. Visiting hours will be from 7 to 9 PM on Friday in the Brothers' Residence at 635 Ocean Road, Narragansett. Arrangements by Avery-Storti Funeral Home, Wakefield.