William West Clark (Bill), age 93, died peacefully in his sleep at home on December 16, 2005 after an enjoyable day of golf and companionship with his son, West. Bill was born in Oakland, CA on February 12, 1912. As a young man, he was active in sports, including competitive swimming at Polytechnical High School and semi professional baseball with the former Oakland Oaks. In the early 1940's Bill was plant supervisor for the F.M. Ball Cannery in Oakland. That experience led to two major turns in his life. The first was falling in love with and marrying a fun loving office girl, Margaret Grass. The second turn was for Bill and Marge to move to Salinas where he managed plant operations at Spiegl Farms during the infancy of the frozen food industry. In partnership with Mel Spiegl, Bill grew Spiegl Farms into Spiegl Foods, Inc. and eventually sold the company to an international distributor in 1960. Bill and Marge traveled the world together. Their love for Mexico, beginning in the 1950's, led to building two homes on the Baja Peninsula near San Jose del Cabo. As recently as last year, they enjoyed a family vacation in their Mexican home, Vista Palmilla. Bill and Marge also shared a love of golf and friends. They have been members of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club since the early 1950's and were founding members of the Corral de Tierra Country Club where Bill served a term as Chairman. His effortless golf swing earned him the nickname of "Creamy." Bill and Marge placed a very high value on their family. After marrying in March of 1942, they had three children: Susan (Tom Cochrane) of Santa Rosa and Sea Ranch, Jane (Ken Dunbar) of Boise, ID, and West (Maggie) of Salinas. He leaves five grandchildren: Cam Berlogar, Carrie Berlogar, Katie Uland, Sara Skinner, and Whitney Clark. He also leaves two great grandchildren: Arthur Uland and Alejandro de Ana Skinner. Bill's sister, Jeanne Blanchard, survives him, living in Murphys, CA, and Marge continues to live in their family home in Salinas. Bill always held himself to a high level of honesty, integrity, and honor. He felt deeply that we (Clarks) must leave things better than we find them. He was an inspiration to his family and many friends. He strived to bring out the best in people. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Every heart that has beat strong and cheerfully has left a hopeful impulse behind it in the world ~ Robert Louis Stevenson A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. The family requests that a donation be made to Central Coast Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1798, Monterey, CA 93942, or to the VNA, P.O. Box 2480, Monterey, CA 93940. Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Chapel. For more information, please visit www.struveandlaporte.com.Burial Unknown Specifically Monterey. Published in the Monterey Herald on 12/25/2005.