Biography: William Edward “Bill” Clark, 63, one of Arkansas’ most prominent business and public service leaders, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 15 after a courageous battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of Little Rock, he is survived by his wonderful wife of over 41 years, Margaret Windsor Clark; son William and his wife, Christy; daughter Mary Catherine Conner and her husband, John; five grandchildren: Will, Benjamin, and Alex Clark, Grace and Caroline Conner; and brother Russell Clark, all of Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence Edward Clark and Faye Barnes Clark, and brother Larry Clark. Bill was born in Little Rock in 1943 and graduated from Little Rock Central High in 1961, where he was a starting member of the basketball team. After playing on the freshman squad at Little Rock University, he transferred to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Upon graduating, he joined his brothers at C&C Electric Construction Co. in Little Rock and worked there until 1981, when he bought Bragg’s Electric Construction Co., leading as president until his passing. In 1987 he partnered with Dillard’s Department Stores to found CDI Contractors, where he proudly and energetically served as chairman and chief executive officer until his last days. In his view, the highlight of his professional career was the 2004 opening of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library, which CDI constructed. He took great satisfaction building such an historic structure. Outside of his family, his proudest accomplishment was the development of the loyal team of people at CDI that he had the honor of working with for two decades. The heart of his life has always been his wife and family. He married the former Margaret Rose Windsor of Little Rock on May 30, 1965. They loved spending time together and rarely spent a night apart. Bill and Margaret vacationed with their children and grandchildren each year and enjoyed watching them swim in their backyard. He always had a supply of “Pop’s cakes” on hand that the kids asked for each time they visited. He was a devoted member of Immanuel Baptist Church for over 27 years and was particularly proud when CDI built the church’s new home in west Little Rock. He never questioned God’s plan for his life and in recent weeks remarked more than once that he was looking forward to going to Heaven and being with Jesus. He was a past president or chairman of the board for the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, Arkansas Arts Center, St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, St. Vincent Development Foundation, the Arkansas Chapter of National Electrical Contractors’ Association, Fifty for the Future, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Country Club of Little Rock. He was currently a board member of the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation, the Little Rock Boys and Girls Club, Ouachita Baptist University Business Advisory Council, Simmons First National Corporation, Baptist Health, Episcopal Collegiate School Foundation, UAMS Center on Aging, and the UAMS Foundation. His past board memberships included Union National Bank, Worthen National Bank of Arkansas, Boatmen’s National Bank of Arkansas, Nations Bank of Arkansas, Ouachita Baptist University, Young Presidents’ Organization, and the National Conference for Community and Justice. His focus on professional and public service earned him a number of awards and distinctions, including the William F. Rector Memorial Award, given by Fifty for the Future; the Edwin N. Hanlon Memorial Award for Contributions to the Arts; the Winthrop Rockefeller Memorial Award from the Arkansas Arts Center; the Arkansas Children’s Award from the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranches; Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Service to Youth Award; Executive of the Year from Arkansas Business; Rotary Club of Little Rock’s Business and Professional Leader of the Year Award; Paul Harris Fellow, given by the Rotary Club of Little Rock; Lions World Services for the Blind Vision Award; Reigning Cats and Dogs Award from the Humane Society of Pulaski County; Heart of a Caddy Award from the American Heart Association; and election to the Arkansas Construction Hall of Fame, the University of Arkansas Engineering Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineering. While his record of community service is widely recognized, it is important to note that he also took great joy in privately helping individuals who came into his life. Known as “Uncle Bill” to many, he used the blessings God gave him to help others have opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had. He never asked for anything in return and felt that generosity should always accompany success. Always a lover of the outdoors, he grew up quail hunting and fishing with his father and brothers. He was later introduced to duck hunting, a sport he also pursued with great passion. His favorite hobby was golf, which he taught himself to play after graduating from college. He and his son, William, played together for years and competed in many tournaments. Bill won numerous individual and four-ball tournaments, capped with the 2004 State Senior Stroke Play Championship of the Arkansas State Golf Association. As an avid sportsman, Bill was equally committed to conservation endeavors. In his memory, friends have established the Bill Clark Presidential Park Wetlands, an educational exhibit that includes the restoration of 13 acres of wetlands on the banks of the Arkansas River in the Clinton Presidential Park. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family respectfully requests that memorials be made to the Parks Conservancy, P.O. Box 7329, Little Rock, AR 72217 for the construction and maintenance of the Wetlands Project, or to your favorite charity. Details of the Bill Clark Wetlands are available at www.littlerock.org. The family would like to thank the caring medical staff for their helping hands and hearts, specifically Jo Smith, Dr. Bart Barlogie, Aimee Elliott, Dr. Kent Westbrook, Dr. Eren Erdem, Dr. Dean Kumpuris, Toni, David, Marcia, Annie, Jackie, Kathleen, Loretta and all of the other physicians and nurses who treated him with such kindness and respect. There will be a private graveside service. A public memorial service will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church at 12:00 noon on Monday, May 21. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service in the Gathering Hall of the church. The family also wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to their friends for all their support, encouragement and prayers during Bill’s illness. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.