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Walter “Clark” Wilson Jr. was born March 6, 1953, in Andalusia to Dub and Mary Wilson. He spent his childhood across from Church Street School swimming at the city pool, playing baseball, and holding onto his reigning title as neighborhood king of kick the can.

Clark passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home Tuesday, May 2, at the age of 70.

Clark lived a life of achievements and adventures. He was a 1971 graduate of Andalusia High School where he played trumpet, which he believed was God’s instrument. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Troy State University (1975) where he attended on a music scholarship and again played the trumpet in the “Sound of the South” marching band. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary (1979). Clark was able to return to his hometown church of Bethany Baptist where he was a third-generation member. Over the past few years, he taught Sunday school classes and filled in various roles as needed.

In Clark’s early career, he was a minister at various churches in Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee for 19 years. He later switched to a sales and marketing career in the automotive aftermarket that he worked in for 30 years. He recently retired from Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation as a director of sales in Nixa, Missouri. After retiring, Clark and his sweetheart, Martha relocated to Heath, Alabama. Clark loved traveling, boating, hunting with his friends, tending beehives, and enjoying ice cream from his recliner. He loved supper with his sister, having his nine grandchildren visit, and checking in on his boys. He was always a phone call away to lend an ear or provide “free advice”, which he’d qualify with the fact that it was “worth what you paid for it.”

Clark is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Martha Wilson of Andalusia; two sons, Clark Wilson III (Kimberly G.) of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Griffin Heath Wilson (Annelise) of Atlanta; two stepchildren, Mark Parker (Blake) of Dothan and Amy Tomlin (Rodney) of Ozark; nine grandchildren: Rachel Hampton (Nick), Matt Parker, Dylan Tomlin, Caleb Tomlin, Catherine Parker, Clark Wilson IV, Mary Catherine Wilson, Charlotte Wilson and Luke Wilson; two sisters, Cathryn Gibson of Lexington, Kentucky, and Caryl Lee Ray (Jeff) of Andalusia; one brother, Craig Wilson of New York, New York; six nieces and nephews: Dr. Will Jackson (Gaybe), Chandler Gibson, Ben Jackson, Jake Jackson, Gray Jackson, Parker Ray.

Clark is preceded in death by his father, Walter Clark “Dub” Wilson, and his mother, Mary Elmore Wilson.

Visitation began Thursday, May 4, 5:30 p.m., at Foreman Funeral Home. Funeral services for Clark were Friday, May 5, 11 a.m., at Bethany Baptist Church with Bro. Nathan Daniels officiating. Interment followed in the Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Tony Wells, Ronald Williamson, Norman Hobson, Rodney Tomlin, Jeff Ray, Clark Wilson IV, Caleb Tomlin, and Matthew Parker. Honorary pallbearers were members of Clark’s Sunday school class and small group.

Special music was sung by Amy Tomlin and Ted Watson.

Those unable to attend may sign the online guestbook at www.foremanfuneralhome.com. 

Flowers will be accepted, or a memorial donation can be made to the Bethany Baptist Cemetery Fund at www.bethanyandalusia.com.