William D. Clarke "Bill", age 84, of Canton, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2014. He was born June 26, 1929 in Canton, Ohio to Roy B. and Evelyn Walker Clarke, Bill was a life-long resident of Canton, serving as Chairman and CEO of Hilscher-Clarke Electric Company until his retirement in 2005. Bill's dedication to his hometown is evident in his life of service to this community. He received the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Award of Merit for his volunteerism with the YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Young Life, Rotary, Mount Union, Walsh and Malone Universities, Canton City Schools and many other organizations. However, Bill preferred to work behind the scenes, building relationships and forging partnerships to put vision into action. Clarke was an ordained deacon and elder of Christ Presbyterian Church, and remained deeply committed to the church's ministry at Camp Wakonda. An advocate and activist for human rights around the world, Bill was a founding board member and director of Habitat for Humanity, International, traveling the globe to expand Habitat's international housing ministry for over 20 years. Clarke's service as Chairman of Refugees International took him to war zones and refugee camps from Croatia to Thailand. He was honored with an Alumni Citation Award by Denison University for his "ability to look at the world through a wide-angle lens, and his commitment to local and global action that empowers people to live more fulfilling lives." Bill's life of volunteerism would not be possible without the commitment of his loving wife of 59 years, Joan H. Clarke, and four daughters: Sioux "Susan" Finney (Bruce), Krista Clarke-Brownstein (Michael), Polly Clarke, and Niffer (Jennifer) Clarke (Jim Farrell). "Paho" was dearly loved by his grandchildren Jeff Henrickson, John Ferguson, Stephen Finney, Becca Finney and Hannah Clarke Levine. He is also survived by two sisters, Marilyn King (Charles) and Dorothy Carlson (Victor) and a host of "adopted" family around the world. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2014 in Christ Presbyterian Church. Friends may call 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday (Tonight) in the Spiker-Foster-Shriver Funeral Home 710 Tuscarawas St. W. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the William D. and Joan Clarke Charitable Fund at Stark Community Foundation 400 Market Ave. N., Suite 200, Canton, OH 44702, Christ Presbyterian Church 530 Tuscarawas St. W., Canton, OH 44702 or a charity of your choice. Please sign the guest book.