William ‘Bill’ John Clarke Jr.
1943-2026
William “Bill” John Clarke Jr., born Sept. 5, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, passed away at home on Sunday, April 19, 2026. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and as a loyal friend — someone whose steady presence, quick wit and genuine love of conversation made people feel instantly at ease.
Bill was the son of William Clarke, Sr. and Lucille Mae Clarke (LePorin). Raised in St. Louis, Missouri, he graduated from Ritenour High School and carried his hometown pride with him all his life — especially as a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan for decades.
After high school, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Germany — an experience that deepened his sense of responsibility, resilience and pride in serving others. He brought that same steady dependability into every chapter that followed.
Back in the St. Louis area, Bill worked several jobs and — luckily for everyone who came to know their family story — met the love of his life, Jane Shick. They married on Jan. 7, 1967, and built a home filled with laughter, conversation and the kind of loyalty you could count on. Together they welcomed two sons, Sean William Clarke and Brian Matthew Clarke.
In 1976, Bill and Jane moved to Iowa with their two sons, settling on a farm near Jefferson in 1977. A city boy at heart, Bill threw himself into farm life — learning, adapting, and eventually taking over the family farm from Jane’s parents. He worked hard and took pride in doing things the right way, but he also knew how to enjoy the people around him; after a long day on the tractor, he was happiest swapping stories with friends over a cold beer at the lake.
In time, Bill and Jane retired to their home on Lake Panorama, where he lived until his death. They shared nearly 60 years together — hardly a day went by that they weren’t side by side. They spent several winters in Arizona and later in Naples, Florida, and they loved seeing the country: browsing flea markets and antique shops, taking trips to Las Vegas, driving the boat while Jane and the kids waterskied, or enjoying a cozy night in with the Cardinals on TV. No matter where he was, Bill’s top priority was always family, with friends a close second — and he was the kind of person who never turned away someone in need, always ready to lend a hand without keeping score.
Bill is survived by his son, Sean Clarke and Liana, of Naples, Florida; his son, Brian Clarke and his wife Angela, of Long Grove, Illinois; and six grandchildren: Christian, Alexander, Isabella, Ricky, Bobbi and Angelyse.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Jane Rae.
A visitation with the family was held Saturday, April 25, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Bill’s sons, Brian and Sean Clarke, delivered the eulogy. The United States Army Honor Guard presented the American Flag. Services were directed by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Jefferson.
April 22 was Earth Day. To celebrate, members of the Women for Panora’s Future met and gathered a dozen bags of trash on Highway 4 headed north of Panora. Ruth Rowedder and other members of Women for Panora’s Future clean both sides of the ditches bi-annually from Heritage Park north for two miles. The group often receives help from Panorama High School students looking to earn service hours, along with other members of the community hoping to maintain a clean and beautiful environment for the Panorama community.