William James Clark

William James Clark (Bill)

Bill Clark was born December 29, 1931 to Robert and Isabella Clark in Philadelphia, PA. After graduating from Upper Darby High School in 1949, he joined the Air Force and served in post-World War II Europe as a radio technician. When he discharged in 1952, he moved to California and went to work in the aircraft industry. He would go on to work at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center for 32+ years as an Electronics Technician. He retired in 1995 only to return a year later to work for contractors doing work at Dryden for another 9 years.

In 1959 he married the love of his life, Betty Triponey. They would eventually settle in Lancaster, where they raised their two children, Kimberly and Scott, and where they bought a home which they lived in for 50 years. Bill was proud of their home and was hands on with the repairs and upkeep. He also helped his neighbors when asked. “Tinkering with things” was his pass time. He also shared his skills with local little leagues and community groups.

He joined the Free and Accepted Masons in 1970 at Lancaster Lodge #437, and served as Worshipful Master in 1978. In 1984 he received the Hiram Award, and in 2020 he received his 50 year membership award.

Bill lived a life defined by technical advancement, both personally and professionally, and was a devoted family man. His work at NASA contributed to some of the most significant advancements in aerospace technology, and he was known to be a perfectionist in that work - pilots appreciated that he was keeping them safe in the experimental work they were advancing.

Bill was preceded in death by wife Betty (2016), his parents, and his brother Robert. He is survived by his two children and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss him dearly. He will be interred at Mira Mar National Cemetery.

Donations can be sent to the American Macular Degeneration Society at

https://www.macular.org