Walter B. Clancy

Walter B. Clancy


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Mar 4th, 2014

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  • Death Date: Mar 4, 2014

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Biography: Walter B. Clancy, 88, of Little Rock, died March 4 2014 at the VA hospital in Little Rock. Walter and his twin brother, Frank, were born to Thomas and Ruth Clancy in Helena, Arkansas, on January 4, 1926. He had an older brother, Tom, and the three boys attended Sacred Heart Academy and delivered milk for the family's dairy farm in the afternoons. Upon graduation, Walter joined the Army and was sent overseas to Germany, where he was injured by a piece of shrapnel and sent to a Paris hospital. There he celebrated with the Parisians the end of World War II. In Little Rock, he enrolled in St. John?s Seminary and became a priest. He later received a Master?s Degree from St. Louis University, a Canon Law degree from Catholic University in Washington D.C., and a PhD in Public Health from The Heller School at Brandeis University. Walter and several other young priests were actively involved in the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School and the civil rights movement. He escorted a busload of teens to Washington D.C. to hear Dr. Martin Luther King?s ?I Have a Dream? speech. After 12 years as a priest, he left the priesthood for a multi-faceted career as a teacher at the graduate School of Social Work, Little Rock University; the head of the Cancer Center at St. Vincent?s Hospital; a grant writer for UAMS: and a counselor of veterans with addiction problems at the V.A. Hospital. Walter married Jon Jett, who had four children, he often said, he was privileged to help raise. After their divorce, he married Jean Gordon in 1989, a longtime friend who had also been involved in the civil rights movement. Together they worked in the peace movement through WAND (Women?s Action for New Directions), travelled with friends and enjoyed 25 years of marriage. Above all he was truly kind, gentle and generous, reaching out to those less fortunate, doing his best to make the world a better place and asking for nothing in return. His parents and two brothers preceded him in death. Tom Clancy served as a Catholic priest in New Orleans, where he headed Loyola?s radio station. His twin, Frank, was struck by lightning and killed on Greers Ferry Lake. Walter is survived by his wife, Jean Gordon; six step-children, Anne Gordon Perry, Tom Gordon, Clair Ramsay, Jett Sheehey, Todd Barnett and Jon Barnet, his nephews Walter Clancy, Frank Clancy, Jr., Edwin Clancy and Sean Clancy; his nieces, Amy Clancy and Susan Heidelberger, and his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Winslow. A visitation will be held on March 7, 5 to 7pm at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham. The funeral service will be held on March 8, 11 a.m. in the chapel at Morris Hall, St. John?s Center, 2500 N. Tyler. Donations in his honor may be given to The One, 8016 Faulkner Lake Road, North Little Rock, AR 72117. (See www.theoneinc.org) or any charity of your choice. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Condolences(08)
William Cingolani
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Walter was my sociology and canon law teacher, and dear friend. 1968 he introduced me to the school of social work at St. Louis University where I began my career in social work. I will always be thankful to Walter for the time we spent together
irene palnick
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Wish I could have been there with you to share my heart.Zeke and I loved you both and I love you even though we live far apart.Those guys were great and made the world a better place and you are still continuing to do so. May you go from strength to strength-irene
Wilandra Dean
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Jean, Walter was always a pleasure to work with, then to visit with. We will all miss him, though none as much as you. May God reward you for your love.4233865
Hershey Garner
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Few folk have embodied the gospel in a more consistent, diverse and loving way than Walter. He seemed, through a life well lived, to have seen through the facts of the story to the truth which innervates it. The few years our paths crossed over thirty years ago left me a better person. Walter?s compassion, insight and presence touched and changed lives in countless ways over scores of years. Everyone should have the gift of sharing the road, even for a short while, with a soul like Walter.
Walter, my friend, thank you. You are loved and missed. God speed, peace and love as you journey home.
Paulette Mabry
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Larry and I feel privileged to have known Walter. He was definitely one of our very favorite people. He was like sunshine in a bottle and always made us feel relevant, loved and happy in his presence. Walter made a positive impact on the lives of many. He will always be remembered as a builder of relationships for peace and justice.

We love you Jean and know you remained dedicated to Walter throughout his illness. You are an example to us.

Paulette
Anncha Briggs
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We will all miss you so much Walter. You always had a smile on your face and made everyone feel so welcome and loved. What a big heart! and so kind and gentle.
Rest in peace.
Love Anncha
jill mckenna
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Jean just learned the news. You will be in my thoughts and will hope for peace and rest. Fondly Jill
Diane Haven
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We will miss not seeing Walter at our WAND potlucks at your house, Jean! What a gentle, good kind soul you are and Walter was. Our best to you and your family.
Doug and Diane Haven

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