William MacDonald Clark

Clark, William Macdonald, age 76 passed away December 11, 2015. Born 1939, Logan County, West Virginia, 2nd child of Virginia Dare Phipps. Early schooling at Greenbrier Military Academy, graduate of the University of Virginia with BA degree in Economics in 1961 and earned JD from the University of Miami in 1968. Married Juliet Elaine Hamilton in Mobile, Alabama in 1962. Began as VP and General Merchandising Manager for Burdines of Miami and Rike's of Dayton, Ohio (divisions of Federated Dept Stores) for ten years. In 1972 joined Robinson's of St. Petersburg, Florida as CEO and then was named Chairman of Stix, Baer & Fuller of St. Louis, Missouri (divisions of Associated Dry Goods). After surviving a melanoma diagnosis at age 36, he moved back to South Florida in 1978 and co-founded the law firm, Thompson Clark, to be near family. He was recruited away after five years to Alamo Rent A Car where he quickly rose to Vice Chairman, President and Chief Marketing Officer and forever changed the industry with his proclamation that "all the miles are free." He was active on many corporate boards including The Lauderdale Marina, The 15th Street Fisheries and the McDonald Land Comp...[more]

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es and was a mentor to countless young executives across the country. He was a Ft. Lauderdale resident for over 60 years, a part time resident on Scotland Cay, Abaco Bahamas and was a summer resident on Grindstone Island in the Thousand Islands, New York for his entire life. He is survived by his wife of 54 years and love of his life, Juliet Hamilton Clark and children Juliet Clark Bluestein of Alexandria, Virginia (Michael), William Macdonald Clark, Jr. (Jenifer) and Jennifer Clark Uustal (John) all of Ft. Lauderdale, brothers in law Ted Drum (Kathy) and Dick Clark (Jane), four nephews (Steven Clark, Scott Clark, Kelly Drum, Douglas Clark), two nieces (Lorrie Roschman, Allison Dumke) and six grandchildren: Harrison Clark Bluestein, Macy Macdonald Uustal, Hollis Phipps Bluestein, Mariah Hamilton Uustal, John Marcone Uustal, Willow Macy Clark and her brother Joseph Edward Conner. He was predeceased by his mother Virginia Phipps Cox, his father former Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Robert Osborne Cox, his brother John Stevens Clark (Barbara) and his sister Carol Clark Drum. Macdonald's generosity, compassion, irreverence, wit, humor and drive made him a giant of a man to all who knew him. He lives on in all of us. A memorial service will be held this winter bringing together friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to www.standup2cancer.org or www.juniorwelfaresociety.org.