Lyle Francis "Bill" Clark

Waverly, VA

Lyle Francis “Bill” Clark, age 81, a resident of Neblett Mill Road near Waverly died at home on Thursday, June 5, 2008. Born on May 5, 1927, Rockbridge County, VA, he was the son of the late James P. Clark and Cora Delia Clark.

He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Virginia West Clark and daughter, Candy Clark. He is also survived by three daughters, Judy Ellen Decker and her fiance Frederick W. Phipps III of Prince George, LuAnn Clark of Waverly, and Billie Sue Goff and her husband Robert “Bob” M. Goff, Jr. of Disputanta; a son, Neil VanFossen of Waverly; two granddaughters, Samantha Caroline Jeter and husband Jonathan and Cori Tress-Irene Larson; twin great-granddaughters, Zoë Michelle Jeter and Taylor Christian Jeter; a great-grandson, Corey Jackson Jeter; a sister, Irene Clark Wagoner of Sparta, NC; and three nephews, David, Donnie, and Jamie Wagoner and their families.

Bill began to work in the coal mines of Crimora, VA at age 15. While serving in the US Army during the Korean War, he was trained to operate heavy construction equipment. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he began to work for numerous construction companies all across the country. Bill was proud to have worked on construction projects that built major roads such as I-64, I-95, I-288, I-85, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway and he had a tale to tell about each job. He retired at age 65 and went into business for himself operating Lyle “Bill” Clark Clearing and Excavation out of Sussex County.

Bill was a long-time, avid, passionate and much-loved Bluegrass musician. He began to perform at age five when he got his first guitar. His first group was the Brent Mountain Boys who became award winners on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Later Bill formed his own group, Bill Clark and the Country Boys, with whom he performed all across the country for the rest of his life. He was honored by the Virginia Folk Music Association and won numerous other “pickin’” awards throughout his career. Bill graciously mentored many Bluegrass musicians and was a powerful influence in Bluegrass music during his life. Bill was a member of the Newville Baptist Church in Waverly, Sussex-Newville Hunt Club and a former member of the Waverly Ruritan Club.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 3:00 pm at the Purviance Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son, Wakefield with the Rev. Dr. Richard Bendall presiding. Burial will follow in Waverly Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of LuAnn Clark, 23374 Neblett Mill Rd., Waverly and at the funeral home on Saturday evening 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, 2788 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville, VA 27410 or to World Health Services, 21122 Cabin Point Rd., Disputanta, VA 23842. Condolences may be posted on line at www.jtmorriss.com.

Waverly, VA

Lyle Francis “Bill” Clark, age 81, a resident of Neblett Mill Road near Waverly died at home on Thursday, June 5, 2008. Born on May 5, 1927, Rockbridge County, VA, he was the son of the late James P. Clark and Cora Delia Clark.

He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Virginia West Clark and daughter, Candy Clark. He is also survived by three daughters, Judy Ellen Decker and her fiance Frederick W. Phipps III of Prince George, LuAnn Clark of Waverly, and Billie Sue Goff and her husband Robert “Bob” M. Goff, Jr. of Disputanta; a son, Neil VanFossen of Waverly; two granddaughters, Samantha Caroline Jeter and husband Jonathan and Cori Tress-Irene Larson; twin great-granddaughters, Zoë Michelle Jeter and Taylor Christian Jeter; a great-grandson, Corey Jackson Jeter; a sister, Irene Clark Wagoner of Sparta, NC; and three nephews, David, Donnie, and Jamie Wagoner and their families.

Bill began to work in the coal mines of Crimora, VA at age 15. While serving in the US Army during the Korean War, he was trained to operate heavy construction equipment. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he began to work for numerous construction companies all across the country. Bill was proud to have worked on construction projects that built major roads such as I-64, I-95, I-288, I-85, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway and he had a tale to tell about each job. He retired at age 65 and went into business for himself operating Lyle “Bill” Clark Clearing and Excavation out of Sussex County.

Bill was a long-time, avid, passionate and much-loved Bluegrass musician. He began to perform at age five when he got his first guitar. His first group was the Brent Mountain Boys who became award winners on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Later Bill formed his own group, Bill Clark and the Country Boys, with whom he performed all across the country for the rest of his life. He was honored by the Virginia Folk Music Association and won numerous other “pickin’” awards throughout his career. Bill graciously mentored many Bluegrass musicians and was a powerful influence in Bluegrass music during his life. Bill was a member of the Newville Baptist Church in Waverly, Sussex-Newville Hunt Club and a former member of the Waverly Ruritan Club.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 3:00 pm at the Purviance Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son, Wakefield with the Rev. Dr. Richard Bendall presiding. Burial will follow in Waverly Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of LuAnn Clark, 23374 Neblett Mill Rd., Waverly and at the funeral home on Saturday evening 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, 2788 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville, VA 27410 or to World Health Services, 21122 Cabin Point Rd., Disputanta, VA 23842. Condolences may be posted on line at www.jtmorriss.com.