Wilbur Marshall Clark

World War II Veteran, Engineer, Musician dies at 97 amidst battle with cancer.

Wilbur “Will” M. Clark, of 8292 Redwing Drive Liverpool,succumbed on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Crouse Hospital from sepsis related causes. He had been valiantly battling squamous cell carcinoma and *dementia for over a year. 

Born to Flora Wilbur and Philip Harrison Clark in Rhode Island just behind his beloved twin, Ruth Elizabeth, on December 19th, 1923, their depression-era births were considered a medical miracle at the time. Wilbur grew up on Washington Road in Scotia, NY and spent many summers with family and friends at Lake Winniepesaukee, New Hampshire. 

He graduated Scotia Glenville High School along with his sister, Ruth.

After two years at Penn State University, where Wilbur was a musician, he served three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he also played the piano. Wilbur played Saxophone as a young man and when his oldest daughter wished to learn guitar, he relinquished his instrument in exchange for hers. Wilbur has played piano for decades for fellow worshippers at churches and Christian events.

He met Florence Margaret Zimmer, a Radio writer from WGY, at a Methodist church meeting. The pair were wed, in Schenectady, NY at St. George’s Episcopal Church in 1950.They were married 41 years.

Much of life was occupied by work as an Electrical Engineer, like his father, for General Electric and devoted to what he loved most: the green grass, blue skies, and birds; his family; and his faith. Wilbur spent countless hours nurturing and cultivating his rose and vegetable gardens, berry bushes, and fruit trees. He enjoyed family camping and road trips, and had a gentle, corny sense of humor. Wilbur was pensive, humble, and impeccably honest and meticulous about waste and spending. 

After 36 years with General Electric, restructuring sent him to retire early in 1985, and he deepened his personal interests. Wilbur was active in Protestant circles most recently at Clay Community Church in Clay, NY. A member of choirs both vocal and bell, he also planted flower gardens and managed sound systems for church. He studied the Bible at breakfast and supper every day of his life that he could.

Many Central New York folksmarch walks and trips were attended by Wilbur, often along with family including travel to Alaska, Nova Scotia and Scotland. Monday through Friday you could find Wilbur exercising with his fellow Silver Sneakers workout mates at Elevate Fitness in Liverpool, NY. He also held dear a backyard canopied swing from which he could peacefully convene with nature, meditate upon his faith, and catnap.

Wilbur had a love affair with birds and would daily seek sightings, listen to bird calls, and learn what he could about feeding and understanding his feathered friends. He was interested in boats and ships, known to be a ruthless checkers player, with a silly sense of humor, and able to outsmart almost any puzzle. Wilbur also loved live symphony and Big Band Music, especially piano and percussive, and was a square dancer with Margy for a number of years.

In his later years he became an avid Bob Ross fan and learned that the Lawrence Welk Show could be binge-watched from his blue recliner. Dark chocolate covered “Ice Cream on a Stick” was his all-time favorite food in his final year, and Wheaties with bananas and berries a morning staple.

Wilbur, a widower, lost his dear life partner, Florence Margaret “Margy” (Zimmer) suddenly in 1991 at the (her) age of 71. Wilbur never remarried honoring his vows to Margy as sacred.

Wilbur is survived by his elder fraternal twin sister, Ruth Elizabeth (Wilbur) White, five daughters, Carol Gladding, Cynthia Ann (Clark-Smith) and son-in-law Allan (Smith), Jennifer Ruth (Massie), Kim Marie, and Audrey Christine, six grandchildren, Nicholas, John Anthony, Brittany, Eric, Philipand Justice John, as well as two family Corgis, Jasper and Maggie, and Border Collie, Sage. 

Summer Interment of Wilbur’s remains to his final resting place will be alongside his adored wife and (Zimmer) extended family at the Old Stone Fort Cemetery in Schoharie, New York.

Calling hours are Sunday November 28th at Sears, Middleton, Matthewson Funeral Home from 2-4 pm, and service begins at 4pm. (209 North Main Street, North Syracuse, NY). Reverend Brandon Owen from Clay Community Church will officiate.

For continued correspondence, questions, and family contact please contact kimmarieclark@gmail.com or 270-315-1768 (call or text).

Donations can be made in honor and memory of Wilbur Clark, payable to:

Dementia Society of America

dementiasociety.org

Post Office Box 600

Doylestown, PA 18901 USA

Federal ID: 46-3401769

1-800-DEMENTIA

Sepsis Alliance

donate.sepsis.org

3180 University Avenue, Ste 235 

San Diego, CA 92104

Federal ID: 38-3110993

619-232-0300

"Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo"

Rosamondgiffordzoo.org

Development Department
Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
1 Conservation Place
Syracuse, NY 13204

Federal ID: 23-7083532

315-435-8511 x8526

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