William Alston

Clark

William Alston Clark, better known as Bill Clark, was born on February 9, 1932 in Charlotte, NC. Bill passed away on September 24, 2026 after a brief illness.

Bill was the son of Edmund B. Clark of Charlotte, NC and Laura Belle Taylor of Harrisburg, NC.

Bill graduated from Central High school in 1950. He received a trumpet scholarship to attend the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida where he performed in the famous Band of the Hour. He served as the band’s Band Captain. Bill organized and directed the ROTC band for two years and attained the rank of cadet Major. Under his direction, the ROTC band performed in concert at one of the first live broadcasts from station WTVJ and at a concert in the Bayfront Park Band Shell. He was selected to appear in the 1954-55 “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” from the University of Miami. In 1954, Bill was selected to be a member of “Iron Arrow”, the highest honor attained at the University of Miami.

Upon graduation from the University of Miami in January, 1955 with a Bachelor of Music degree, Bill served on active duty with the US Army as an officer in the Armor Branch as a tank platoon leader; most of his service was in Bamberg, Germany.

Upon completion of active duty with the Army, Bill began a teaching career as a high school band director in Jesup, Georgia. In 1960, Bill moved to Savannah, GA where the Savannah High School Band appeared in many local and national events and parades. In 1961, the band performed in the televised Orange Bowl Parade.

In 1966, Bill moved to Dublin, GA to become the music supervisor and band director. He taught at several local schools while building the county’s band program.

In 1967, Bill returned to Savannah to organize and direct the band program of Windsor Forest High School. His bands consistently received superior or excellent ratings at the State music festivals. The band appeared at the Peach Bowl and for several years was the featured group at the National Junior College “Super Bowl” games held in Savannah, GA. The Windsor Band frequently was featured in the Disney World Magic Kingdom parades.

In 1985, Bill moved to Melbourne, FL where his new wife, Carolyn, was completing her teaching career. While in Melbourne, he was a substitute teacher, English teacher, computer lab teacher, and band director. He played trumpet in the Melbourne Municipal Band.

During his career, he was a guest conductor of the US Navy Band and the US Army Field Band, both of Washington, DC.

In the summer, he was on staff at many summer music camps. At Webber College, Bill was asked to assume his old position of Dean of Boys and there he met his wife to be, Carolyn McCorkle, who served as Dean of Girls. Bill was involved in summer camps in Florida for 41 years.

During Bill’s career, he earned a Master of Education degree from Armstrong State University. In 2010, he was inducted into “The Band of the Hour Association” hall of fame at the Frost School of Music University of Miami.

Bill and his wife Carolyn moved to New Smyrna Beach, FL in 1996. Bill was an elder at First Presbyterian Church where he also sang in the choir.

In 2018, Bill and Carolyn moved to Merritt Island, FL to be near her sister Rene New and family. Bill and Carolyn became active members of Grace United Methodist Church in Merritt Island.

Bill and Carolyn were married for 41 years before her death on August 6, 2026. They often frequented their condo in Hendersonville, NC. Bill and Carolyn cruised some 40 times including Alaska, Scandinavian countries, Europe, Russia, and Australia.

A service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Merritt Island. In lieu of flowers, his family asks you to please donate to the charity of your choice or one that was special to him, like the Alzheimer’s Association, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.