I worked with Bill in Missouri on lead/zinc deposits and the Commerce Fault system. Bill was, indeed, a character. I had my mother, Shirley, along on one of our field excursions, and she and Bill became great pals. He remarked how smart my mom was and how quickly she picked up on what we were doing, looking at alteration along fault structures that were fluid pathways. 

I'm so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. My sympathies to Lynn and his children.

I knew Bill when I was a student intern at the Ozark Lead Mine located near Salem Mo. He taught me so much. A mentor and supporter. 

My sincere condolences,

Harvey Goodman, 
Houston, Texas

I enjoyed working with Bill over the years on water related topics. always a professional, pleasant guy with a knack of getting to the point quickly. i guess the trout in the Saluda are safe now. Rest in peace.  

I had the pleasure working with Bill in the geology dept. at Ozark Lead Co. in the mid 70’s to the early 80’s as a geo tech.
  He taught me a lot about the profession and even a little bit about life. 
   Bill and I spent a many of hours on the Current River trout fishing and having fun. 
And on some occasions we would head down to Montauk state park and go fishing before we would head to work. 
   Bill might be gone but he will live forever in our Heart’s and in our memories. 

 

I had the pleasure of working with Bill for over 15 years at DNR.  I was always so impressed with his creative thinking, pursuit of knowledge through cooperation with universities and other agencies, and the way he managed his staff. Yeah, he was rough around the edges but a huge heart.  My daughter became friends with his daughter Sarah so we got to know a little about his family. When we talked about our grandkids, he would never use their real names.  He'd call his granddaughter (Ella) George all the time. Very confusing but fun...that was Bill. I'll miss him.  We all will miss him.

I was only a cartographer/ IT person at the geology office. Disirregardless, Bill taught me and anyone who was interested in learning about geology. He took me and others on field days in the Piedmont and other areas in SC to share what he was passionate about. I remember chugging his rocket fuel during crunch time, right before STATEMAP was due. You will be missed.

Bill was one of a kind! He was my supervisor (don’t ever call him “Boss”) for some time before my retirement from SCDNR. He had the best stories and he will be certainly be missed!

My condolences to his family and friends.
Regards,
Brenda

I always found Bill to be a delightful person, and very direct which I appreciate.   He was always interested in my passion ie bobwhite quail restoration and we spoke about it whenever we ran into each other in the halls of the Dennis Building.  RIP my friend and I imagine you are learning things about Geology now that you didn’t know before, if that is possible!

When I hear the name Bill Clendenin this is what comes to my mind: One day more than twenty years ago, I had taken my children to work at DNR and had some work to do at "Geology." When Bill met my children I saw him set aside his scientific persona, and take the time to show them a sincere and spontaneous gesture of welcoming kindness as if he had known them all along.

I got a great kick out the time I was fortunate to spend with Dr. Clendenin. And I learned a lot, too.  He not only sent me scientific publications to help me learn more about the geology of lands I manage, but he also spent time via emails and on the phone with me, helping me understand how geology impacted the soils and hydrology, and hence, the plants and animals.

May his family,  friends and colleagues find peace in the positive impact he made on the world.

It is with a heavy heart that I share my memories of Bill. I am primarily a work colleague in the water research area. I knew Bill for many years and he was never at a loss for words to describe whatever work situation we were in at the moment. I always appreciated his straightforward (harsh at times?) analysis of things - a direct approach that always helped cut through the mess and get to the crux of the issue. As our friendship grew - and as we aged - I saw more and more of the warm side of Bill - the grandpa side. I will miss him - but his stories and all of his "character" will be forever remembered.

Bill miss be missed by his friends who enjoyed his company as I did. We sat many afternoons along the Saluda and enjoyed the natural environment of trees and rocks and birds and running water; and, especially talking about the bugs and the trout that ate them and what flies to catch them on. 
Bill had a special zest for life that was easy to see when around him. I found him always courteous, considerate, and generous with his expertise; and, with his hand-tied trout flies that I caught a number of fish with, and will continue to fish with while remembering him. 
Bill's work as a professional geologist with many published papers during his long career at the SC DNR was respected and appreciated for the scientific approach he took to our natural resources.  And he brought that science based thinking to the Saluda River Chapter of Trout Unlimited where he was a past officer and long time supportive member.



Deepest condolences to Lynn, Robert, Kristin and Sarah and to the entire Clendenin family from the Avery family. I had the honor of assistant coaching with Bill and my sons had the great fortune of being on his baseball team. I've always admired Bill for his steadfast honesty - saying what he believed and standing by his convictions. 

I LOVE YOU DEARLY Bill, you will be pleased to know the gamers took 1 from #4 tenn Friday night.

Bill was a good friend. Once he found out I fished and tied flies he would come into my office every morning to compare notes on what flies we had tied the night before. He introduced me to trout unlimited and taught me how to fish the Saluda. He will be missed greatly.

OBITUARY

Dr. Charles "Bill" William Clendenin Jr.

August 5, 1949 – May 19, 2021

Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel

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