William Frederick (Bill) Clark

William Frederick (Bill) Clark

Cedar Rapids

William Frederick (Bill) Clark, 95, passed away peacefully at the Hiawatha Care Center on December 14, 2024, with his wife Kay at his side. Online condolences may be directed to the family at

www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Bill was born September 9, 1929, in LaGrange, Illinois, and later moved with his family to southern

California. After high

school he went on to

attend Glendale

Community College &

Art Center School of

Los Angeles where he perfected his love of photography. He joined a

local newspaper staff to

head up their photography division and left the newspaper to enter the Korean conflict where he served in the Air Force with a photographic unit stationed in Casablanca, Morrocco. After returning home, he established a freelance photography business.

Later he joined the Richfield Oil Corporation in Los Angeles which was to become Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) where he established the first photographic department & became their Director of Visual Communications for the next 32 years. He recorded such memorable events as the first oil well in the Swanson River Valley area of Alaska; the first oil rig on the north slope of Alaska; and the signing of the first South China Sea exploration contract between China and the United States. While with ARCO, he met his future wife Kathleen (Kay) Carl. They married in October of 1963 and raised their family in Glendale, California. He also traveled the world to cover events in Iran, England, Australia, Indonesia, China, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Canada, North Africa, and Japan.

During his travels he photographed such notable dignitaries as the Shah of Iran and former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev & Mrs. Gorbachev; former Presidents Eisenhower, Ford, Nixon, Carter, Bush and Reagan, as well as England’s King Charles, the Duke of York, Princess Margaret, Prince Philip, Henry Kissinger, and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Back in the United States, he recorded the opening of the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, at which time he photographed all five living Presidents of the United States together for the first time — Presidents George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Richard Nixon.

His subject range was broad — from the famous Hollywood celebrities to the homeless living under the freeway bridges of Los Angeles. His work was featured in Time magazine, Newsweek, Fortune, Forbes, Saturday Evening Post, and numerous trade publications.

At a meeting of Professional Photographers in Honolulu in September of 1970, Bill stressed the following, “More and more, we judge a photographer on his ability to get along with people as well as his professional skills. The day of the rough-and-tumble newspaper photographer is gone.” He also stressed physical attire and behavior, He always dressed accordingly, and to fit his assignments.

He was invited to speak at this meeting in Hawaii as part of his historical connection to the Islands. His Great, Great Grandfather, the Reverend Ephraim Weston Clark, was among the Third Company of missionaries to sail from New England to Hawaii and subsequently became Pastor of the Kawaiahaʻo State Church where his name is inscribed in the Ch

urch. He is credited with translating the Bible into the Hawaiian language.

A founding member, and former President, of Industrial Photographers of Southern California, Inc., Bill was a member of several professional and educational associations, including Professional Photographers of America who awarded him the prestigious degree of Master of Photography, Film Producers of America, and the American Society of Magazine Photographers. He served on the Advisory Council of the Photography Department of the Los Angeles Trade Technical College, as well as the Brooks School of Photography in Santa Barbara, California.

Following retirement from ARCO in 1986, he continued to take assignments from ARCO as well as devoting his time and energy to his own business, William F. Clark & Associates. Later he and Kay moved to Laguna Hills for a few years and continued to travel back and forth between Laguna and Cedar Rapids, Iowa until he and Kay moved permanently to Cedar Rapids in 2023 where he enjoyed a slower-paced life; working on their home; several cruises with dear friends; entertaining and attending an Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. Several well-loved Springer Spaniels will forever have a special place in his heart.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Kay), his daughter, Kimberly Clark (Cira Nickerson) of Rumson, New Jersey; his son, Christopher Clark (Robin) of La Crescenta, California; his niece, Karen Nicholls (Stephen); his nephew, Kent Black of Palm Springs, California and daughter, Charlie; his great nieces, Alice Oliphant (Paul) and Emma Macko (Chris) of Piedmont, California. Additionally, he said goodbye to five great grandchildren & eleven great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his long-time devoted caregiver, Joan Lang, as well as caregivers, Amanda Robidoux and Charles Campbell. Also left to cherish his memory are several close and dear friends who are an integral part of our family.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to all of Bill’s countless friends who enriched his life throughout the years. Special thanks to the wonderful personnel at Hiawatha Care Center for their care and support during the six months he resided there, and especially during the last week and final days of his life. The family cannot express enough their very special thank you to Dr. Mary Anne Nelson for her loving care and concern of and to Bill, as well as his family.

All who knew Bill will remember him fondly as a kind, humble gentleman. With a great sense of humor. He was always thinking first of others, especially of his beloved wife, Kay, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. He was always looking for the joy in the moment with his delightful sense of humor. Even when compromised by two debilitating strokes, he remained content and courteous to those caring for him. He was a man that made a huge difference in this life by the way he presented himself and how he cared about others. Th

e world is a better place, and we are better people, because of our association with him.

A private family Service of Remembrance was held on Monday, December 16, at First Lutheran Church Chapel, conducted by Senior Pastor Steve Knudsen.

I

n lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society, the First Lutheran Church, or the Springer Spaniel Association of Southern California.