William H. Clark

William H. "Bill" Clark, 97, Jamestown, ND, formerly of Woodworth, ND, died Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown.

Bill was born February 10, 1915 in Jamestown, the son of Harry L. and Magdalena (Gehrig) Clark. He received his education in rural Woodworth schools and attended Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND. On October 2, 1938 Bill married Loretta Bredeson in Woodworth. He bought a garage and sold machinery under the Minneapolis Moline Dealership. They operated the Woodworth telephone office from 1938 to 1940. In 1944 he sold the garage and began farming. Bill sold insurance for Dawson Hail and Milbank Insurance Companies for about 40 years.

Bill was an active community member. He helped start the Woodworth Farmers Grain Co. and the city park, donated property for the Melzer Museum, served on the city council for 37 years and served as mayor from 1947 to 1987. He was also a director of the R.E.A. in Carrington for many years.

Loretta died in 1999 and Bill continued to lived on the farm until 2005 when he moved into the Heritage Center and in August 2010 he moved to Ave Maria Village.

He was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Woodworth. Bill enjoyed visiting with his family and many friends.

Bill is survived by three sons, Donald (Judi) Clark, Fargo, ND, Darryl (Nancy) Clark, South Lyon, MI and Dennis (LaVonne) Clark, Woodworth; one daughter, Joan (Mark) Gehlhar, Ypsilanti, ND; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and his best friend, Gene Hall.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and two brothers, Harrison and Alvin.