Willie Clark | |
Clark celebrating his 110th birthday in 2022 | |
Birth: | 12 December 1912 Albany, Georgia, USA |
Death: | 18 January 2023 Pompano Beach, Florida, USA |
Age: | 110 years, 37 days |
Country: | USA |
Validated |
Willie Clark Sr. (12 December 1912 – 18 January 2023) was an American supercentenarian who was among the oldest known living men in the United States at the time of his death. His age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) in 2024.
Biography[]
Willie Clark was born in Albany, Georgia, USA on 12 December 1912. Raised in poverty by his grandparents and aunt, he had to leave school after the third grade to help support his family. He worked in a general store, in a sawmill, and as a sharecropper.
In 1933, due to the economic impact of the Great Depression in Albany, Clark moved to Pompano Beach, Florida, which had more economic opportunities. He resided there until his death.
In 1942, he married his wife, Lula (née Bell) Clark. The couple had seven children, over 20 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. In 2022, the couple celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary.
After finishing his daytime work shifts, Clark took on various odd jobs in town, including one at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Downtown Pompano. He later owned the Twin Pines Restaurant and a rooming house on Northwest 9th Street. He also started a lawn care service, but was forced to retire in his 80s due to glaucoma.
In December 2022, Clark celebrated his 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian. For the occasion of his 110th birthday, Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin and Broward County Mayor Lamar Fisher presented Clark with proclamations commemorating his rare milestone.
Willie Clark lived with his wife Lula (aged 100 in December 2022) in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA. He died on 18 January 2023, at the age of 110 years, 37 days. At the time of his death, he was the oldest known living man in the U.S. state of Florida, as well as one of the top five oldest known living residents in the state.
Gallery[]
References[]
- Family, friends and community celebrate Willie Clark at 108 New Pelican, 16 December 2020
- 110th birthday Facebook Post, 12 December 2022
- “I’ve got to love everybody if I want to see God”: Pompano resident celebrates a rare achievement: His 110th birthday New Pelican, 14 December 2022
- Death Mention Facebook, 18 January 2023