William Frederick Clarke II

William Frederick Clarke II, 86, formerly of Fruita, CO, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Grand Junction VA Hospital where he had recently been admitted. “Bill” was born November 6, 1938, in Iron Mountain, MI, son of the late W. Fred Clarke and Helen (Gates) Clarke. Upon graduating from Iron Mountain High School in 1957, he joined the US Navy. Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1961, Bill went on to attend Northern Michigan University in Marquette where he graduated in 1965. Bill married Evelyn Syrjanen Kuplerski on December 3, 1966, and they made their home in Ishpeming, MI, raising their children Bill and Lynne before moving on to Escanaba, MI. While employed at Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba, he obtained his Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University in Mt Pleasant, MI in 1988. Retirement took them across the country to Fruita to ride the horses they bought upon arrival, as well as golf, ski, hunt, and camp. Eve preceded Bill in death on December 5, 2018, just two days after their 52nd wedding anniversary. Bill was a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Fruita Masonic Lodge No.120, and a ranger at the Adobe Country Club. He is survived by his two children, son William F. Clarke III of Grand Junction, CO, and daughter Lynne (Leon) Sutherland of Traverse City, MI; his brother, C. Thomas (Patricia) Clarke of Iron Mountain; a sister-in-law, Shirley (C. Robert) Clarke of Iron Mountain; four grandchildren, Connor (Brandon) Bromwich of Sanford, FL, Casey Sutherland of New York, NY, Jennifer Forvilly of Madison, WI, and Liam Clarke of Grand Junction; and several nieces and nephews. Bill was also preceded in death by his brother, C. Robert Clarke; brother & sister-in-law, Leo and Josephine Syrjanen, and brother & sister-in-law, Charles & Esther Syrjanen. Military honors will be conducted and burial will take place at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction. Condolences may be expressed to the family of William Frederick Clarke II online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

William Frederick Clarke II

November 6, 1938 - May 6, 2025