Bill joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at age sixteen, and helped in the construction of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Austwell, Texas. He enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve in 1940, and proudly served his country in World War II , including ports in North Africa and Scotland. He was honorably discharged as a Boatswain's Mate, 2nd , in 1945. He was a bus driver in Corpus Christi after the war, which led to meeting the love of his life, Aline Annette Adkins. They married in 1947, a union that lasted 41 years until her death. They raised five children; Alannah, Colleen, Lieuen, Dawn and William Clarke.
Bill was a construction electrician, working for Brown & Root and H.B. Zachry construction on plant construction from Baytown to Brownsville, driving over a 100 miles each way, every day, so that he could be home with his family each night. He retired in 1985. For 47 years, he lived near the confluence of the Lavaca and Navidad rivers, and loved his daily drives to watch the boaters and fishermen on the waters. He also enjoyed traveling to Bennett Park on Garcitas Creek to feed peanuts to the squirrels and deer.
More than anything else, he loved spending time with his family. He adored babies, and would be blessed with a special energy whenever one of his was around, even in his last days. He would entertain them with stories and his own "play toys", and shower each one with abundant love.
He became "Pop" in 1968 with the birth of Jerome, his first grandson. Pop was overjoyed when his thirteen grandchildren began the next generation.
His family celebrates a life well lived in service to God. Bill was an elder in the Vanderbilt Community Presbyterian Church, and supported Mission Presbytery and New Covenant Fellowship in Austin.
He is survived by his children and their spouses; Alannah and Tommy Mozisek of Sugar Land; Colleen and Jerry Rozsypal of Vanderbilt; Lieuen and Lamar Boyd of Inez; and Dawn and Jerry Boyd of Edna; William Clarke and Margaret Spinks of Austin his brother, J. E. Keller and wife Margaret Ann of Ingleside; thirteen grandchildren, Jerome’ Rozsypal, Lanette Melnar, Megan Rozsypal, Justin Boyd, Heather Oglesby, Corbin Mozisek, Lindsey Boyd, Dorin Mozisek, Cameron Boyd, Garrett Boyd, Ashley Boyd, Morgan Fritz, and Adriane Boyd; and nine great grandchildren, Brittany, Roman, Jakub, Gemma, Mallorie, Cole, Kylie, Matthew, and Areia.
He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life, Aline Adkins Spinks; his beloved grandson, Clarke Adkins Spinks; and his four brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be held 6:00 pm -8:00 pm Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, Texas. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Edna Presbyterian Church, 502 Apollo Dr.. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Edna. Serving as pallbearers will be Jerome Rozsypal, Justin Boyd, Corbin Mozisek, Cameron Boyd, Garrett Boyd, and Roman Duran. Honorary pallbearers are Debbie Cornejo, Rona Simpson, Shannon Curl, Elsa Hernandez, Jeff Woodring, Tommy Wallace, Doug Johnson and Mark “Buddy” Anders.
Memorial contributions may be made to Clarkie’s Fund at spiritreins.org or Spirit Reins, P. O. Box 368, Liberty Hill, Texas 78642.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com
Arrangements with Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, TX 361-578-3535
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