Fr. William John Clark
Aside from being Father John’s second pair of hands, Father Bill has become a very important member of our church family. A priest of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Father Bill serves under the omophorion of Archbishop Nathaniel, in the Romanian Episcopate. His journey to the priesthood took many interesting turns including serving the public in Florida as a law enforcement officer and entertaining the public as an actor and opera singer. It was during this time that he met and married the lovely Presbytera Margie.
Born into the Roman Catholic faith, Father Bill converted to Orthodoxy in 1986 and went on to study theology by way of the St. Stephen’s Theology course through the Antiochian Archdiocese.
Ordained a deacon in 2001, he became a full fledged priest by 2003 just before his 69th birthday! Fr. Bill may be the oldest man ordained to the Holy Priesthood in this hemisphere. Fr. Bill graciously fills in as a supply priest wherever he is needed, whether here in Arizona, or as far away as Indiana and Texas. Despite maintaining a sometimes grueling schedule, he is always ready to serve the Lord and the flock.
While we here at Saint George certainly don’t mind sharing him with fellow believers, we are always happy when he returns “home.”
Our church just isn’t the same without that booming bass tone ringing out from the altar. In addition to con-celebrating services with Fr. John, Fr. Bill has also celebrates Divine Liturgy on Friday mornings. He is also available for hearing confessions, offering instruction, counsel and advice whenever he can and, of course, he is always ready with a smile and a joke guaranteed to make you smile.
Here is some more information on Fr. Bill, from the Biserica.com website:
On Sunday, March 2, 2003, our beloved Fr. Bill was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, in the Church of St. Raphael’s Orthodox Community in Detroit, Michigan.
Rev. Fr. Bill Clark was born on June 24, 1934, in New York City, New York, U.S.A of parents: William Joseph & Dorothea Clark.
Fr. Bill is married to Presvytera Margaret Clark.
Education:
- Elementary School (1940-1947)
- Saint Catherine of Sienna, New York City
- Secondary(1948-1951)
- Holy Trinity Seminary High School, New York City
- College (1951-1953)
- Saint Joseph’s Theological Seminary, Eufola, AL
- St. Stephen’s Course of Orthodox Theology
Military (1953-1955) ; United States Army, 1953 – 1955
Stationed: Korea, Germany ; Veteran: Korean Conflict Rank: Sergeant ;
Military Duties: Graduated from Military Communications School-, Frankfurt, (Germany). Promoted to Communications Chief as Technical– Sergeant. Served directly under Battalion Commander, Butzbach, Germany. Discharge: Honorable, 1955
Employment:
1955-1960 Fire Underwriter/Building Inspector – Insurance liability
1961-1963 Transportation Officer – Florida Police Department
1963-1968 Studied voice under tutelage: Giovani de Giovani, George Hurley Music Academy, Brooklyn, New York. Completion of voice and Music Theory, Los Angeles, CA
1966 Insurance– Liability Inspector, New York City.
1969-1972 Manager, Golden State
Appliance – Domestic/Commercial repair.
1972 Sales Representative, LaFayette Academy, Southfield, Michigan ; Promotions 1973 District Manager.
Second Vice President,
1974 – other duties besides management:
Production, Acting (4 films), Training Coordinator, Seminar development, establishing sales techniques for new hires.
1989 Paramount Pictures, Los Angeles, California – Manager – Home Video Distribution.
1980-1993 Completed work with Fox Media Entertainment Group until retirement – mid 1980′s – 1993. Office Services Manager supplying all current productions with “special Order” equipment and services. Also acting roles – various years, for such programs as “Current Affair”, commercials (international). Promotional films, shown in Australia.
1993 – Early retirement.
Theological pursuit
Decision to pursue private religious studies originally begun in 1979. Full time religious studies under guidance of his Mentor, The Very Reverend Fr. Constantin Alecse.
With Fr. Alecse’s encouragement entered the Masters Program at Saint Stephen’s Seminary, at the age of 65, which has graduated this year., 2003
Church Hierarchy
1997 “Church Reader” for the Holy Trinity , Los Angeles
1998-1999 Sub-Deacon
2001 Ordination to Diaconate
On Sunday 26th August 2001, in the St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, Arizona, by His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel.
Church duties 1995-2001
Ordained to the Holy Diaconate on Sunday 26th August 2001, deacon William John Clark during the last 5 years served the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church in various capacities: Sacristan, Cantor, Reader, Sub-Deacon, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Director, Parish Council member, Congress delegate, Church Auditor, Vatra Camp Counsellor, Bible Bowl Advisor and LAROY Advisor.
Liturgics & Pastoral
Sacristan for the English Speaking Chapel of the Holy Trinity (1998 to present); First cantor and congregation singing director; processions’ organizer for the Sunday School; cantor and co-server at services performed in the parish (funerals, memorials, anniversaries, etc.); pastoral visits with the pastor; visitation of the sick and shut-ins, etc.
Since his ordination to the Holy Priesthood, Father Bill Clark undertook the responsibilities of Priest in many locations, serving with distinction, love and honor.
In 2011, he was granted retirement, but continues to serve St. George parish with greater fervor than ever!
CLICK HERE to see a list of his articles and essays.
