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.

In summary, Fr. Bill Clark is definitely someone that you should know!