Obituary for William "Bill" Clyatt
William (Bill) Clyatt, of Irving, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, February 17th, 2019. Our family feels so blessed that at 94 years old he was still with us and was so kind, witty and thoughtful until the end. He was born in Dallas on May 26th, 1924 to Edwin and Agnes Clyatt. After graduating from North Dallas High School in 1941, he and his family moved to Irving. This is where he met the love of his life, Mary Kathryn Lively. They were introduced by Mary Kathryn’s dear friends James Simmons and James Walker whom he carpooled with to attend North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington, now UTA.
Bill enlisted in the Navy in May of 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although having to leave behind the love of his life, he proudly served our country in the Pacific Theatre where he was stationed in New Hebrides, Saipan, and Corpus Christi from 1942 through 1947.
He returned home from Chicago in November of 1943 for seven days to marry his wife of which they shared 67 years of marriage. They were married in the Chapel of First United Methodist Church of Irving. He then devoted himself to her and their three daughters. Bill began attending First United Methodist Church of Irving in 1942 and joined in 1947 and was a 72-year member and was so proud that five generations of family were members.
Together Bill and Mary Kathryn were faithful supporters of the Dallas and Irving Symphonies. They took wonderful trips with the FUMC Travel Club, traveling by train over the Canadian Rockies, visiting London, Ireland, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and more. They loved spending time at their second home in Woodland Park, CO, at the bottom of Pikes Peak Mountain. Bill was a member of the Irving evening lions club and was also a charter and lifetime member, and former treasurer of the Irving Heritage Society, where in 2002 he was voted sweetheart.
Bill completed his accounting degree at SMU in 1951 after returning from the war. He then became a CPA in 1952. Although he “retired” in 1988 he continued to prepare returns for lifelong friends and for a company in Downtown Dallas until the age of 92.
Bill was strong in body, in spirit, and in commitment. He never missed a single day of class from kindergarten through high school graduation. He never let another man down. He fulfilled every obligation he ever undertook. His word was his bond, and everyone knew it. Bill never uttered a lie, harsh nor unkind word about anyone. You could describe him as gentle giant at 6’4, wouldn’t even kill a bug. Though a child of the Great Depression who understood the value of a dollar and the importance of saving, the generosity he expressed throughout life was that of his spirit.
When Mary Kathryn went home in 2011, Bill’s granddaughter, Kelsie (whom he called Sugar Babe), quickly moved in to be with him. Although she thought she was there to help him, he gave her a love, comfort and support that has been a driving force in who she is today. They shared a special connection and Kelsie will forever remember the time they had together.
Together Kelsie and Bill took a road trip to Ruidoso New Mexico for years to visit his daughter Nancy at her vacation home. These were some of his most enjoyable times, as it was for Kelsie, Nancy, and Hans.
Our family is so thankful to have had him beyond Mary Kathryn for eight years where he enjoyed playing bridge at the Lee Park Recreational Center in Irving as well as attending many bridge club parties. He also loved his Wednesday Work Crew family and continued to faithfully attend his Sunday School and Church services.
Bill’s grandson Nic gave his time, love and care to ensure that Bill was able to remain in his home where he wanted to be. Nic often called himself his granddad’s personal pudding dispenser although Nic did much much more when Bill’s mobility became more difficult.
Survivors include, daughters Nancy Clyatt-Smith and husband Hans Smith of Irving, and Cindy Clyatt-Wiley and Bart Wiley of Irving; son in law Dan Rankin of Post, Texas; grandchildren Bill Rankin and wife Gina Rankin of Post Texas, Kelsie Jordan, Nic Wiley, Shane Wiley of Irving Texas, along with 6 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Bill was pre-deceased by parents, wife, daughter Kathie Clyatt Rankin and granddaughter Molly Kathryn Jordan. The family will receive friends and family between 6:00 and 8:00pm, Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home, 707 N. MacArthur Blvd in Irving.
Funeral services will be held 10:00am on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at First United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 211 West 3rd Street in Irving with an interment immediately following at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church at https://www.fumcirving.org/giving/ or to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at https://ww5.komen.org/ .
Lastly, we would like to extend a very heart felt thank you to Bill’s dear daughter, Nancy Smith, for her love, devotion and care that she gave to both her father and mother. She gave her life to them and always put them before herself. She made their last years so enjoyable. It will never be forgotten.
Bill enlisted in the Navy in May of 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although having to leave behind the love of his life, he proudly served our country in the Pacific Theatre where he was stationed in New Hebrides, Saipan, and Corpus Christi from 1942 through 1947.
He returned home from Chicago in November of 1943 for seven days to marry his wife of which they shared 67 years of marriage. They were married in the Chapel of First United Methodist Church of Irving. He then devoted himself to her and their three daughters. Bill began attending First United Methodist Church of Irving in 1942 and joined in 1947 and was a 72-year member and was so proud that five generations of family were members.
Together Bill and Mary Kathryn were faithful supporters of the Dallas and Irving Symphonies. They took wonderful trips with the FUMC Travel Club, traveling by train over the Canadian Rockies, visiting London, Ireland, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and more. They loved spending time at their second home in Woodland Park, CO, at the bottom of Pikes Peak Mountain. Bill was a member of the Irving evening lions club and was also a charter and lifetime member, and former treasurer of the Irving Heritage Society, where in 2002 he was voted sweetheart.
Bill completed his accounting degree at SMU in 1951 after returning from the war. He then became a CPA in 1952. Although he “retired” in 1988 he continued to prepare returns for lifelong friends and for a company in Downtown Dallas until the age of 92.
Bill was strong in body, in spirit, and in commitment. He never missed a single day of class from kindergarten through high school graduation. He never let another man down. He fulfilled every obligation he ever undertook. His word was his bond, and everyone knew it. Bill never uttered a lie, harsh nor unkind word about anyone. You could describe him as gentle giant at 6’4, wouldn’t even kill a bug. Though a child of the Great Depression who understood the value of a dollar and the importance of saving, the generosity he expressed throughout life was that of his spirit.
When Mary Kathryn went home in 2011, Bill’s granddaughter, Kelsie (whom he called Sugar Babe), quickly moved in to be with him. Although she thought she was there to help him, he gave her a love, comfort and support that has been a driving force in who she is today. They shared a special connection and Kelsie will forever remember the time they had together.
Together Kelsie and Bill took a road trip to Ruidoso New Mexico for years to visit his daughter Nancy at her vacation home. These were some of his most enjoyable times, as it was for Kelsie, Nancy, and Hans.
Our family is so thankful to have had him beyond Mary Kathryn for eight years where he enjoyed playing bridge at the Lee Park Recreational Center in Irving as well as attending many bridge club parties. He also loved his Wednesday Work Crew family and continued to faithfully attend his Sunday School and Church services.
Bill’s grandson Nic gave his time, love and care to ensure that Bill was able to remain in his home where he wanted to be. Nic often called himself his granddad’s personal pudding dispenser although Nic did much much more when Bill’s mobility became more difficult.
Survivors include, daughters Nancy Clyatt-Smith and husband Hans Smith of Irving, and Cindy Clyatt-Wiley and Bart Wiley of Irving; son in law Dan Rankin of Post, Texas; grandchildren Bill Rankin and wife Gina Rankin of Post Texas, Kelsie Jordan, Nic Wiley, Shane Wiley of Irving Texas, along with 6 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Bill was pre-deceased by parents, wife, daughter Kathie Clyatt Rankin and granddaughter Molly Kathryn Jordan. The family will receive friends and family between 6:00 and 8:00pm, Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home, 707 N. MacArthur Blvd in Irving.
Funeral services will be held 10:00am on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at First United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 211 West 3rd Street in Irving with an interment immediately following at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church at https://www.fumcirving.org/giving/ or to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at https://ww5.komen.org/ .
Lastly, we would like to extend a very heart felt thank you to Bill’s dear daughter, Nancy Smith, for her love, devotion and care that she gave to both her father and mother. She gave her life to them and always put them before herself. She made their last years so enjoyable. It will never be forgotten.