Ben Clark

William Ben Clark, 86, of Rexburg, died Monday, August 23, 2010 at his home. He was born March 5, 1924, in Ririe, Idaho to William Barber Clark and Zina Opal Summers Clark. He was raised in Burton and Independence and graduated from Madison High School. He served in the US Army from January 1944 to April 1946, during WWII and was stationed in the South Pacific. On August 11, 1943, he married Betty Lou Robison in Lyman; their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls, LDS Temple on May 20, 1970. He worked as a rancher, farmer and carpenter throughout his life and was a truck driver for Morris Waddell for over 15 years. Ben was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a Life Time Member of the V.F.W. Hans Jensen Post 3012; he served as the commander of this post from 1986 to 1989, as Judge Advocate and on the Board of Directors. He was also a Life Time Member of the N.R.A. Ben was the first to introduce Charolais Cattle into Idaho and was a member of The American Charolais Cattle Association, The Upper Valley Charolais Association, and he served as President of the Fremont – Madison Cattle Association. He raised champion Quarter Horses and was a member of The American Quarter Horse Association. He was also a member of The Upper Valley Wranglers for 20 years, and The Madison Cutter Association. He was the founder and President of the Unified Sportsmen Gun Club, and taught Hunter Safety for 22 years. He was a Charter Member of Cowboy Poetry of Idaho, and has won several awards for his poetry. He enjoyed cows, carpentry, and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Clark, of Rexburg, daughter, Linda Lou Nef, of Rexburg, sisters, Verla Jean (Lennis) Hope, of Moses Lake, Washington, Lela Mae (Kenneth) McCullouch, of Rexburg, brother, Charles Jay (Reah) Clark, of Rigby 3, grandchildren, Natalie Powell, Ben Nef, and Jordan Nef and 2 great-granddaughters, Taylor Lyn Powell and Aspyn Jade Powell. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 28, 2010, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery, with military rites by the VFW Hans Jensen Post 3012. Services are under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.