William Parrish (Bill) Clark, Jr., 89

July 20, 1960 — October 15, 2024

William Parrish (Bill) Clark Jr. (89), family man, auto dealer, and Caldwell County business and community leader, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024, at home surrounded by his family.

Bill was born in Lockhart, Texas on January 26, 1935, the son of Bill Clark Sr. and Roxie Margaret Clark. He grew up on Spruce Street in Lockhart and graduated from Lockhart high school in 1953. He was an excellent athlete and excelled in both football and track while in high school. He attended the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1957, and also competed for the Longhorn freshman track and field team under the tutelage of coach Clyde Littlefield.

He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Dell, on June 3, 1956. Bill met Dell at her 13th birthday party where he gave her a birthday card with a dollar bill in it. Dell’s friend Royce Vickery told Bill, “Man, don’t you know not to give money to a woman – you’ll be giving her money for the rest of your life.” Royce was right.

After graduating from Texas, Bill served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army and was stationed in Fort Lee Virginia. Although Bill and Dell enjoyed their time in Virginia, he did not re-enlist when his 6-month enlistment was up, but he did continue to serve in the U. S. Army reserves for many years. After leaving the army, Bill returned to Lockhart to join his dad at Lockhart Motor Company, the Ford dealership in Lockhart which has been owned by the Clark family since 1926. He was the third generation of his family to run the dealership, and his long and successful tenure as the patriarch of his family business was built on the many personal and long-lasting relationships he cultivated. He considered customers to be friends and employees to be part of his extended family, and when he smiled and shook your hand, he made you feel truly appreciated. His success in the auto business also included the distinction of being elected to the Ford Motor Company National Dealer Council in 1977, where he served alongside Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca. He also served for 6 years on the board of directors of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association.

Being born and raised in Lockhart, Bill loved his home town, and believed deeply in giving back to his community. And he did it in many ways. He served as Chairman of the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, President of the Kiwanis Club, and served for many years as the President of the Caldwell County United Fund. He, along with Maxine Goodman and others spearheaded the founding of Lockhart Homecoming, which ultimately became The Chisholm Trail Round-Up.

He also served as county chairman for The Salvation Army, and he was the recipient of their Outstanding Service Award for 39 years of service to the Salvation Army mission. One project that was particularly important to Bill was The Lockhart Housing Authority. He served on the Board of Directors for 43 years, much of that time as Chairman, and was instrumental in getting an exceptional level of funding to support the Housing Authority. When they built their new office building, it was named in his honor. In 2012 the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce recognized him for a lifetime of service to his community by presenting him with their award as Lockhart’s Most Worthy Citizen.

As important as business and community were, nothing was more important to Bill than his faith and his family. He raised his kids in the Methodist Church and was active in every part of their lives. He was a little league coach, cheerleading sponsor, hunting buddy, mentor, and confidant. And of all the roles he played, there was none he enjoyed more than being Grandad to his four grandchildren. Ball games, dance recitals, holiday gatherings, or birthday parties; if the grandkids were there, he was going to do everything he could to be there too. In particular, summer vacations on South Padre Island were something the whole family looked forward to. Time together on the beach, great food, plenty of gin rummy, and lots of time for stories and jokes always made it the best week of the summer.

Bill was a lifelong member of The First United Methodist Church of Lockhart, where he served in many capacities, including the Pastor Parish Relations committee, the Finance Committee, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

He was preceded in death by his father, W.P. Clark Sr., mother Roxie Margaret Clark, and his infant daughter Catherine Dell.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years Dell, son William Timothy Clark (Betty), daughter Cynthia Kay Clark, sister Roxie Powell, grandchildren Alison Lock (Cody), Will Clark (Kelsey), Catherine Granados, and Caroline Granados, and one great grandson J. C. Lock. He is also survived by his nephews A. A. (Jack) Ross III, and Clark Ross, as well as his niece Suzanne Gaddis.

Visitation will be at 1:30 pm Friday December 6th at the First Methodist Church in Lockhart. Funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. Pastor Clifton Stringer officiating. Burial will follow at the Lockhart Cemetery.

Serving as pall bearers will be Will Clark, Jack Ross, Clark Ross, Kerry Gaddis, Don Ross Hewlett, David Hewlett, Mike Hewlett, and Clint Mohle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s honor to First Methodist Church in Lockhart or The Salvation Army.

The family also wishes to extend our deepest gratitude for medical care to Dr. Charles Laurence and his staff, whose ongoing care of Bill went far beyond the medicine.

Arrangements in care of McCurdy Funeral Home in Lockhart. Please visit www.mccurdyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book.