Willie Clark

Willie Columbus Clark (April 18, 1919 – July 26, 1943) was a U.S. Army soldier from Robbins who died during World War II.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born April 18, 1919 in Robbins, Willie C. Clark was the son of Robert Asbury Clark (1887-1975) and Charlotte Ester “Lottie” Redden (1895-1962). His siblings included Naomi Silcox (1916-1997), Herman “Jimmy” Clark (1921-1994), Velma Lea Neels (1923-2021), Lucy Wilma Myers (1926-2007), Ralph Kenneth Clark (1929-1959), Glen Clark (1930-1930), Forrest Thomas Clark (1932-1986), Floyd Harold Clark (1934-2016), and Frances “Nanny” Sexton (1937-2010).

Several of his brothers served in the armed forces. Jimmy Clark served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Ralph Clark served, as well, and Forrest Thomas Clark served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Floyd Clark served in the U.S. Army and received a Good Conduct medal.

World War II

Cpl. Clark registered for the draft on Oct. 16, 1940, and enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 31, 1940 at Fort Knox, Ky. He was assigned to the 20th Battalion, 5th Training Regiment. He was stationed in Pennsylvania at the time of his death from testicular cancer on July 26, 1943.

Cpl. Clark’s body was returned to Scott County for a funeral held at First Baptist Church of Robbins, followed by burial at Robbins Cemetery.

An obituary published in the Scott County News on July 30, 1943 stated that he was survived by a wife and baby. His death certificate identifies his wife as Violet M. Clark.

He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.