William Allen Clark

William Allen Clark was born January 6, 1945, in North Little Rock, Arkansas to Daniel Fisher Clark and Elmira Moneta Days Clark in which both have preceded him in death. William was nicknamed ‘Sonny’ by his mom. Early in life, Sonny attended church with his family at the Calvary Temple Church of God in Christ in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was later baptized under the guidance of Rev. Jerry D. Black at the Greater Paradise Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas. After settling into their home in Sherwood, he and his wife, worshipped faithfully on the fourth pew at St. Mark Community Church every Sunday under the leadership of Pastor Al Romes.

His faith was strong, and he has mentioned in one of his conversations, that he knew how to pray but he had to learn how to pray for himself as a 19-yr old black male from North Little Rock in the Vietnam war. Our daddy served in the United States Air Force and traveled to Greece, Philippines, Guam, Africa, Japan, Madrid, and Hawaii all before the age of 23. He was honorably discharged medically in April of 1967 due to the injuries he sustained while in active duty. After returning home, daddy worked at Remond Motor Co. in Jacksonville, AR and in late 1968, he met Gerice Cole, a coworker. They started dating and were married a few months later. To this union 4 children were added, Evette, Sheryll, Aun and Nuka and he was affectionately called, Dah. On September 15, 2019, our parents celebrated 50 years of marriage. The traits of commitment and strength were definitely part of his core values. Dah was a part of the Clark lineage that was employed at the Fort Roots Veteran’s Administration Hospital, and he worked there for 35 years, retiring in 2002.

Dah was known for his quiet but stern, stubborn, no-nonsense demeanor. He said what he meant and meant what he said. There are countless stories behind him having this characteristic. He was also, hilarious. His jokes and quick wit often caught you off-guard and they would result in a true belly-laugh. When he smiled, it was sure to brighten the room. During their 50 years of marriage, mom and dad were inseparable; an unshakable bond. He LOVED his wife. Also, he loved his western shows, going fishing, feeding the ducks and listening to the blues. He is our solid foundation who loved his family, but his most prized possessions are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the ones who could really break through that hard exterior, for sure to bring out that smile.

He is reunited with his loved ones who preceded him in death, the ABSOLUTE love of his life, the one he could not wait to see again, his wife, Gerice Cole Clark, four brothers: Willie Lee Bember, Daniel, Ervin Sr., and Thomas Clark; three sisters: Winne Mae Clark, Matilda Dickerson and Joyce El; one grandson, Jaylon Keishun England and many others who, we are sure, welcomed him with open arms.

William/Sonny/Dah leaves several behind to hold his memories dear, one devoted son, William Franklin Clark; three daughters, Regina Evette Clark, Desheryll Clark Leavy (Byron), and Andrea Clark Robinson (James); seven grandchildren: Courtney J. Clark, MSgt Curtis J. Grider (Bonnie), Amber J. Grider, Ricky Sims, Jr. (Symone), Hayli’ L. Stricklen and James Robinson II (Julissa); fifteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Rosetta Clark; one brother, Robert ‘Bobby’ Clark; six sisters-in-law: Dean Clark, Classie Clark, Sandra Henderson, Shirley Jones, Dedra Smith and the one who was always at the brunt of his jokes, Louise Harris; two brothers-in-law, Marcus Smith and Tyrone Jones; his childhood neighbor, classmate and friend, Roscoe Sanders, the S. A. Jones High School "Class of 1963", a friend, Raymond Alexander, as well as a host of extended family and friends.