William Burton Clark III, (affectionally known as "Jargo"), was born December 4, 1917 in Blountstown, Fla. and died in Madison, Fla. On Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. He was the son of the late Sheriff Charles Dennis Clark and Maggie Messer Clark. He was also predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Eunice Priest Clark; and his son, Dr. William B. Clark IV. He is survived by his three daughters: Rosemary (Bill) Clark Stiefel, Margaret (Dennis) Irel Clark, Elizabeth (Harry) Clark Rotter;
and nine grandchildren: William (Marilyn) C. Stiefel III, John (Mu-Yi) Clark Stiefel, Van (Caroline) Richard Stiefel, Catherine (Thomas) Espinoza, Harry Gerald Rotter II, William (Danielle) B. Clark V, Margaret (Philip) Rotter Wilkerson, Corrie (Andy) Clark Turner, Caroline (Hasin) Rotter Al Restimawi; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Jargo attended the University of Alabama where he was a member of the DKE fraternity. After marrying, he moved to Madison, Fla. and became very active in the community.He was a founding member of the Madison Rotary Club and served as President of the club before becoming the District Governor of 694 area in the panhandle of Florida. Jargo personified the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" and he was especially proud of having been a part of the Polio Plus vaccine worldwide effort.
He also served for a number of years as a Director on the board of the Southern Scholarship Foundation which provides housing for deserving students attending FSU and the U. of F.
After his marriage to Eunice Priest, he went to work for the family dime store business, Van H. Priest & Co. which he was a part of for over 40 years. While an excellent businessman, his avocations of woodworking and gardening gave him great satisfaction and he became known to many as a master craftsman who loved to share his skill and talent with the young. In his late 90s, he made a chess set for each of his three children and nine grandchildren. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Madison, Fla. serving as a Sunday School teacher, deacon and chaired committees that over saw the building and renovations through many years.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the 1898 Baptist Sanctuary Fund, 134 SW Meeting Ave. Madison, Fla., 32340. The Southern Scholarship Fund at 322 Stadium Dr. Tallahassee, Fla. 32304, or Mission: Dignity, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Ste. 2200, Dallas, Tx. 75244-6152.
A Private graveside service was held Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Madison, Fla.
Beggs Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. (850) 973-2258. You may send your condolences to the family by visiting beggsfuneral.com.