Obituary of William Cecil Clark

Dr. William C. “Bill” Clark, 72, of Morgantown, passed away Wednesday, September 20th at Mon Health Medical Center. 

Bill was born in Welch, West Virginia on October 7, 1944.  He grew up in the small, coal mining town of Pageton, in McDowell County.  He attended Gary High School where he was an outstanding student and athlete.  He graduated summa cum laude Class of 1962, and was Captain of the “Coaldigger” football and basketball teams for two years, and also competed in three track events.  He was elected to represent Gary High School at Mountaineer Boys State. 

In 1962, Bill enrolled at West Virginia University in pre-dentistry where he met the love of his life Delia “Dee” Lynch, and in 1965 they were married.  He pledged and became an upstanding member of Delta Tau Delta during his undergraduate years.  Bill began his dental school studies while Delia worked as the patient receptionist in the Oral Diagnosis Department of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry.  After graduation from the WVU School of Dentistry, Bill served two years as a Captain in the United States Air Force Dental Corps in Dover, Delaware, and the couple began a family.

In 1971, Bill and Dee returned to Morgantown where he began a forty-five year private practice and during the first three years worked as a part-time clinical endodontics instructor at the WVU School of Dentistry.  Bill was a passionate learner and attended hundreds of hours of Continuing Education courses to further his knowledge in areas that would benefit his patients.  He was very early in recognizing and treating TMJ dysfunction and in adding implantology to his practice.  In January 1991, Bill completed the four-hundred hour externship program in implantology at Midwest Implant Institute (MII) and received the Best All-Around Extern Award.  He also was awarded a Fellowship at MII and an Associate Fellowship in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, as well as a Fellowship in International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Bill attended St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church with Delia and children for many years, and finally at Delia’s urging, converted to Catholicism and became a member.  He served as a lector until his illness affected his voice.

Bill loved his God, family, church, and country.  He also loved his staff and patients and was humbled by the loyalty and diligence of both.  Bill felt he was truly blessed to work with longtime employees Shirley Dalton and Elizabeth “Libby” George. 

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Cecil B. Clark, his mother, Sylvia Marie Clark, a brother, Wesley E. Clark, and a sister, Natalie June Carnes.  He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Delia, and three sons- Michael B. Clark, Matthew W. Clark. and John D. Clark; five grandchildren Caitlin Clark, Colin Clark, Connor Clark, Matthew Clark, and Spencer Clark. 

The family wishes to thank all the well-wishers and friends who offered prayers and assistance.  They also want to thank Dr. John Azar and the entire staff at the Zelda Stein Weiss Oncology Center of Mon Health Medical Center for their encouragement, professional care, and positive demeanor that is so important to their patients.

Hastings Funeral Home is handling the cremation arrangements.  The family will welcome friends Friday, October 20, 2017, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown.  A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3334B University Ave., Star City, West Virginia with Father John V. DiBacco as celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Ursula’s Food Pantry in Pursglove, West Virginia.

Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com