James W. "Bill" Clark, of Etowah, TN passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024 one day beyond his 93rd birthday.

He is preceded in death by his parents, L.T. and Margaret Clark; brothers, Tom, Edward, Cecil, Bobby and Paul Clark.

Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Burna Dene Clark; sons and daughter-in-law, Jim and Heather Clark, Doug Clark; grandchildren and spouses, Casey and John Gerdes, Lee and Jessy West, Jack and Tori Clark; great grandchildren, Sean, Brianna, Wesley and Caelen Gerdes, Malcolm, James and Rowan West, Emelia Clark; brothers, George and Jerry Clark; sister, Joyce Borden; several nieces and nephews.

Bill was the fourth of nine children and grew up working on the family farm in Polk County at the convergance of the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers. He graduated from Polk County High School, and lived and worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Army while serving at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

After leaving the Army he worked at Bowater Southern Paper Corp. for 39 years, starting his career an Instrument Technician and retiring in 1994 while serving as a Supervisor on Bowater's newsprint recycling plant construction project.

Upon retirement Bill and Burna Dene enjoyed traveling to see family as well as the wonders of nature by boat, car and plane.

Bill served Etowah's youth as a coach in the Dixie Youth League, Babe Ruth assistant coach and he led the creation of the Connie Mack team. While coaching in Dixie Youth he coached Etowah's first state qualifying all-star team finishing as Tennessee's runner up to the Eventual World Series Champion. He and Burna Dene also joined with other local families who supported the expansion of Etowah's Youth sports programs to include basketball and football.

Bill loved his church serving in various support rolls and was a leader in the construction of its new sanctuary and facilities.

Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2024 in the chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Patterson officiating.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday prior to the service.

Family and friends will assemble at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920, Monday, April 1, 2024 for the 10:00 a.m. committal service with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, Bill requested donations be made to Englewood First Church of God, P.O. Box 189 Englewood, TN 37329.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Morning Pointe of Athens Assisted Living, Hearth Hospice and the McMinn County VA Support office for their support and care while Bill dealt with end of life health issues.