William B. Clark

William B. Clark

William B. Clark died Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at the age of 92. A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Bill was born July 20, 1924, to Robert W. and Margaret B. Clark. He attended James Whitcomb Riley Public School #43 and graduated from Park School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946, including a tour of duty as a radar technician on a minesweeper in the Pacific. He received a B.S. in Physics from Purdue University in 1947 and thereafter joined The Merchants Property Insurance Company of Indiana, a company founded by his grandfather Ralph B. Clark in 1917. Bill served the company for a remarkable 69 years – leading the company for over 40 years and actively participating in the business until his very last day. He served as a member of the Board of Directors (1949 until his death), Chairman of the Board (1987 until his death), and President (1968-2014).
Bill was a gifted pianist, and his love for music would change his life. While waiting for a piano lesson in 1941, Bill met fellow piano student Charity Lindsay. Their shared love of classical music blossomed into a love for each other. They were married in 1950 and they shared their lives, raised a family, and continued to play classical piano together until Charity’s death in 2005. Bill is survived by sons Lindsay Clark (wife Sarah) of Indianapolis and Danial Clark (wife Amanda) of Piermont, NY, and daughter Sara Clark Lootens (husband Jim) of Indianapolis, and by his cherished grandchildren Katie, Anne, and Amy Lootens and Harper Clark.
In 2006, Bill married Carol Lynn Seastrom Kothe, who survives. He is also survived by his sister Ann Clark Calkins of Cleveland, OH, and by several nieces and nephews.
Bill was active in the community, serving as President of both the Children’s Bureau Board and the Board of Trustees of Orchard School. He was a member of Meridian Hills Country Club, Mystic Tie Masonic Lodge, the Indianapolis Committee on Foreign Relations, the Scottish Rite, the Contemporary Club, the Players Club, and First Congregational Church UCC, where he was a member of the choir for many years.
Friends may call from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 25, 2016 at Flanner and Buchanan Broad Ripple Funeral Center, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis 46220. There will be a private burial at Valley Grove Cemetery in Milton, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 32 E. Washington St., Ste. 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204.