Wayne P. Clark

Wayne P. Clark, age 99, of Unicoi, passed away on Tuesday, April 08, 2025, at the Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Mr. Clark is a lifelong resident of Unicoi County and son of the late MD Clark, Sr. and Sarah Rice Clark.

Mr. Clark was a United States Army Veteran having served his country honorably during WWII. He served with the 301st Field Artillery, 94th Infantry in France, Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Luxemburg. Mr. Clark fought in the Battle of Normandy, Rhineland Offensive and Ardennes Offensive-Battle of the Bulge. He performed duties of Cannoneer, and he was the number one-man firing gun when in action. Mr. Clark was responsible for every position crew. Mr. Clark served overseas for 18 months. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 Silver Service Star.

Mr. Clark was a sixty-four-year Mason having been a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason for the past fifty years. He was also a member of the York Rite Order and Jericho Shrine Temple.

Mr. Clark was a member of Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church. He worked at the Erwin Pottery before going to work at Raytheon and eventually retired from there.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Janie Street Clark in 2008; Infant daughter, Imalou Clark; grandson, Wesley Wheeler; brothers: M.D. “Old Joe” Clark, Jr., Horace Clark, Deward Clark, and Howard Clark; sister, Imogene Clark; son-in-law, Butch Wheeler.

Survivors include his three daughters: Ruth Marie Wheeler of Louisville, Elizabeth “Libby” McCready (Dudley) of Erwin, and Glenna “Gwen” Lewis (Wayne) of Unicoi; two grandchildren: Kim Wheeler, and Staci Webb (Phillip); great grandchildren: Isabella Webb, Sophia Webb, and Brittany Hawkins (Brett); great-great grandson, Bellamy Hawkins; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Mr. Clark's funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Evergreen Mausoleum. Reverend Roger Laws will officiate. Military Honors will be rendered by DAV Chapter 39 Honor Guard for Mr. Clark’s honorable service to his country. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Those wishing to attend should meet at the mausoleum by 12:50 p.m. on Monday.

The family would like to thank the following: Dr. Famoyin and his staff who cared for Wayne for many years; Dr. Moughon and Tina Jones who were always available and gave excellent, compassionate medical care; the staff of the Ivy Hall Nursing Home who treated Wayne with such respect and tended to his every need, and the nursing staff of Sycamore Shoals Hospital who worked tirelessly to make Wayne’s last days comfortable.

Memorial donations can be made in memory of Mr. Clark to: Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church, 101 Berkshire Drive, Erwin, TN 37650 or Shriners Hospital for Children https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Clark family at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com. 

Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Clark family. (423) 743-1380.

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