William Travis Clark

William T. (Travis) Clark, age 87, passed away peacefully in Abilene, Texas on June 20, 2018 after a slow battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Travis was born July 24, 1930 at the family farm on Clark Road in Taylor County, the youngest child of William E. and Grace Clark.  Life growing up on the farm with his two older sisters, Nellivee and Betty, was a time filled with both hard work and great joy for the family.  Like the good sisters that they were, Nellivee and Betty both loved and tormented Travis.  Travis claimed he never did anything to deserve their teasing.

Travis graduated from Wylie schools in 1947.  After high school, he attended John Tarleton College for two years.  He then earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Engineering from Texas A&M University.  Travis was a proud Aggie. 

After graduation, Travis worked in South Bend, Indiana for the Oliver Tractor Company.  Soon the Army summoned. Travis spent 1953-55 serving his country.  He eventually returned to Abilene in 1959 and operated the local International Harvester dealership for six years.  He then began his long association with Lone Star Gas, first in Abilene and then in Dallas.  Travis retired from Lone Star Gas in 1995 after 29 years of dedicated service and returned to his farm in Potosi planning to enjoy a quiet, peaceful retirement.

Plans for a quiet retirement were put on hold after he became re-acquainted with an old classmate from Wylie, the previously widowed Bobbie (Knox) Hooker.  Travis and Bobbie were married on November 2, 1997.  A life-long bachelor, Travis not only suddenly found himself with a wife, but also with 4 step-children and 7 step-grandchildren.  Soon he was able to convince both his sisters to return to Abilene which made the extended Clark family complete.  Travis and Bobbie traveled the world together, planning the next trip as soon as they were rested from the last one.  Some of their best trips were when the whole family took part in an adventure together. 

As long as his health allowed, Travis was a faithful member of Wylie Baptist Church and an active volunteer for Hospice of the Big Country.

Travis was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Nellivee.  He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Clark, and his sister, Betty Clark, as well as several cousins.  He will also be greatly missed by his step-children, Jorja Clark of Sherman, Nancy McIntyre of Stephenville, Marianne Kirkland of Amarillo, and David Hooker of Abilene plus all of their spouses, children and grandchildren. We are thankful that we knew such a good man.

A celebration of the life of Travis Clark will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 30 at Wylie Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Harkrider officiating under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.

The family would like to thank the staff of Legacy Lane at Wisteria Place for their kindness during Travis’s last days.  A special thanks also goes to the staff of Hospice of the Big Country for the care and support they provided. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to honor Travis made to either Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford St, Abilene, TX 79605, or the Wylie Baptist Church Building Fund, 6097 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, TX 79606.

Memories may be shared and condolences submitted online at: www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com.