William "Bill" Keith CLARKE
William 'Bill' Keith Clarke passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in his 85th year, at the age of 84. He was the beloved husband of Helen (née Kendra) for 58 years. Bill was the cherished father of Stacey and Aaron, and a loving father-in-law of Aaron's wife Hiromi. He was a proud Grandpa and Ojiisan to Taiga. Bill is survived by his brother Ted Clarke and his wife Cherry, sister-in-law Ruth Clarke, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also had a kinship spanning 60 years with sister-in-law Frances and her husband William (Bill) Shepherd and their family. Bill was predeceased by his parents John and Nellie (née Bliss) Clarke, brother George and wife Lois, sister Violet Alvin and husband Willie, brother John Clarke, great-nephew Turner Clarke, and brother-in-law George Kendra. Born and raised in Humberstone, Bill's first jobs were as 'bait boy' at Schofield Marina and as a Tribune paperboy. In his teens, he was an usher at the Strand Theatre. Summer jobs at Maple Leaf Mills, INCO, and Canada Cement Plant helped put him through school at the University of Western Ontario. Bill's teaching career began at the Cooks Mills and Darby Road schools in Welland, followed by a brief return to his alma mater, Port Colborne High School. In 1970, he joined the newly opened Lockview Park Secondary School, serving 16 years as an English teacher. He then returned to Port High until his retirement. Bill was a dedicated high school volleyball coach and Yearbook advisor. He enjoyed simple pleasures and valued any occasion for camaraderie with family and friends.
