The Faculty of Law mourns the passing of William Drury Clark, Q.C. (1924-2016) in Victoria, B.C.
Born in Edmonton, Clark worked on his family farm in Horse Hill throughout the Great Depression. During WWII, he was assigned to artillery logistics in Edmonton, allowing him to continue his studies at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. One of just three students in his 1947 graduating year, Clark was admitted to the bar and quickly established his career in Alberta's booming oil patch. As the leading specialist in oil and gas contract law in Alberta, Clark worked with many of the original Canadian and American oil pioneers, and was an original member of both the Edmonton and Calgary Petroleum Clubs.
Throughout his 40-year legal career, Clark became a colleague or friend with most of the major players in the western Canadian oil and gas industry. His legal contributions were not limited to North America, as he also worked in the oil and gas industries in France and Switzerland. In addition to his legal career, Clark was also successful in business. In 1953, his company, Polychemical Industries, became the first in Canada to manufacture polystyrene foam cups.
Clark - a long-time patron of the Calgary and Victoria symphonies, operas, and chamber music societies - was a lifelong supporter of the community. In addition to his own charitable contributions, he played a key role in directing oil company donations to local charities and performing arts groups. He is survived by Velma, his wife of 61 years, four children, and four grandchildren.
For more information on Clark's life, visit his Globe and Mail obituary. To offer condolences, visit www.mccallbros.com.