Abner Billy Clark

Abner Billy Clark, 91, of Loxahatchee, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 with the love of his life by his side.

Abner was born on March 1, 1935, in Anderson, Indiana, to the late Ruth and John C. Clark. His early years were difficult, as he was the oldest of 3 children and his mother died when he was 4. He was primarily raised by grandparents, other family members and friends. This taught him to be a hard worker from an early age. He helped out on local farms and collected scrap metal, saving for school clothes. At 12 years old he became the State Marble Champion and went on to compete at the National level. He enjoyed his high school years earning a starting position on their basketball team and was the mile runner on the track team. He graduated from Middletown High school in Middletown, Indiana in 1954.

He soon enlisted in the US Army and was sent to Alaska, where he would live for the next 30 years. While stationed at Fort Richardson, besides his other duties, he was called to service on their basketball, softball and swim teams as well as the Honor Guard. Once out of the military, he worked as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service delivering around Anchorage and even developed the first mail route for the Mountain View neighborhood. In 1958 he met Shirley Pottle, from Eagle River, Alaska. They married the following year and went on to have three children in the next four years.

Around 1961, he began working at Alaska Sales and Service, the local GM dealership, moving swiftly from the detail shop to used car sales to new car sales and eventually to General Manager - a position he held for many years.

During this time Bill lived the adventurous Alaskan lifestyle; enjoying fishing, hunting, boating, and cabin life with friends and his family. Bill to family, and Abner or Ab to friends, played basketball during the winter and softball during the summer in recreational men’s leagues, and traveled around Alaska for games and tournaments with teammates into his 50’s. His basketball teammates (from his high school and adult teams) from over the years have been some of his longest lasting friendships - keeping in touch right up until the end. He had so many interesting stories about his many adventures and sometimes misadventures - traveling, fishing and hunting with friends.

Weekend cabin life was a source of many familiar and entertaining stories for Abner. He and various partners owned cabins over the years at Lynx Lake, Lake Louise, Susitna Lake, Cow Lake, Big Lake and Flat Lake. Some of the cabins were “squirrel nests” and all but Big Lake and Flat Lake were heated with wood and did not have running water. Outhouses were always a source of fun stories. Before the Big Lake cabin became a home, it was a center of weekend fun for the two families (Browns and Clarks) with fishing, boating and waterskiing in the summer and snow machine riding in the winter. There were so many adventures that started in each of these locations. The last cabin, which became a home, at Flat Lake was only accessible by boat in the summer and car or snowmachine on an ice road in the winter. Abner loved adventure.

After several years at Alaska Sales and Service, with no more opportunity for upward movement, Abner decided to make a change and took a job on the newly forming Alaska Pipeline as a pipe fitter. After about a year, he decided that wasn’t the life he wanted and with a friend, started an RV Campground at a renovated circular Drive-In theatre as well as a used car lot with a partner. In addition to the used car lot, they also started a car rental business. His son John worked with him for several years in the campground, car lot and car rental businesses.

In 1983, he married Olinda Clements and they went on to celebrate 42 years together. A few of those years were spent in Anchorage and Seattle, but the majority were in south Florida. They enjoyed many trips across the country in their RV and stopped to see friends and family all along the way. They even went all the way to Alaska and back several times.

Abner was a worker even far into retirement. If he wasn’t working on a project, he was busy planning one. He loved to help and was always looking for ways he could make things better for others. He made you feel at ease with his friendly smile and a good story from one of his adventures.

He was a family man and was so proud of all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His face would light up when they were around, he heard they were coming or even seeing a picture or video. Whether it was baseball, basketball, flag football or a dance recital, he was there and always early.

As much as he loved his family, no one could hold a candle to the way he felt about Linda. She was his helpmate, chef, adventure buddy and best friend. He never wanted to be far from her. Their bond was as strong as it gets.

Abner came to know the Lord later in life and he didn’t take his decision lightly. He was baptized, began attending church, and enjoyed many trips and outings with his Sunday school class. During his last few months, he often said he was ready to go to the Lord, which brings us great comfort.

Abner is lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda Clark; his siblings, Jalna Real, Willis (Angeles) Clark; his children, Roberta (Joseph) Bear, John (Marietta) Clark, Debora (Thomas) Kerns, Kimberly (James) Bass; grandchildren, James (Shannon) Bass, Nicholas (Clare) Bear, Amie (Riley) O’Neal, Galen (Janell) Bear, William (Emily) Bass, Katelyn Lupe, Robin Kerns, Abby Clark and Andrew Clark; great-grandchildren, Zoey Bass, Mariella O’Neal, Elizabeth O’Neal, Devlin Bear, Amelia Bear, Corbin O’Neal, Vera Bass, Allison Bear, Opal Bass and Oliver Bear.

Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate his life on Tuesday, August 11th at 10:30am at Connect Church 10701Okechobee Blvd, Royal Palm Beach. Internment will follow at 1:00pm at the South Florida National Cemetery 6101 SR 7 S, Lake Worth.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the building fund for Connect Church (cc.today) or a charity of your choice.