Mr. William Graydon Clark, Jr., Matamoras Borough Historian, died Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Delaware Valley Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Matamoras, PA. He was 92.

He was born July 19, 1933 in State College, PA, the son of the late William Graydon Clark and the late Catharine Hartswick Clark.

Bill and Janet Elaine Sims were married on January 3, 1953 in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Port Jervis, NY. Together they raised six children and recently celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Bill graduated from Matamoras High School in 1952 and later attained his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as a Munitions Research and Development Engineer for Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ, retiring after 36 years.

He was an avid historian and focused on past local community events. He was co-founder of the Matamoras-Westfall Historical Society and President for the last 23 years. He also served as Director of the Minisink Valley Historical Society and was a member of most other regional historical groups. He was actively involved in the Tri-States Railway Preservation Society.
He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He was past President and Secretary of the Matamoras Rod and Gun Club. He served as the past President of the Pike County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and also led a youth sportsman camp for the Rod and Gun Club for many years.
Bill was a member of the Matamoras Hope Evangelical Free Church, where he served as the Vice President on the Church Board of Directors. He was a Mason and a member of Masonic Lodge # 752 in Matamoras.

He is survived by his wife Janet; daughters Susan West and Virginia Hammersmith; three sons: David Clark and wife Sally, Gary Clark and fiancée Lori Mulick, and Kenneth Clark and wife Cindy; 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Bill is also survived by his older sister Sylvia Holtein.

Bill was predeceased by his son William “Bill” D. Clark, his grandson Gary M. Clark Jr. and his son-in-law Charles Hammersmith.

Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather (“Pa”). He was a farmer at heart. For many years, he worked with his father planting corn and tomatoes to support the original Clark’s Produce stand, which predated Turkey Hill. He also spent the rest of his spare time hunting and fishing with his boys, passing on his vast knowledge to them for the best places and methods (aka “His Way”).

Before he passed away, he wanted us to know that he would be okay and he is finally resting in heaven.

A visitation will be held at Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc., 100 E. Main St. in Port Jervis on Thursday, April 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Hope Evangelical Free Church, 308 First St., Matamoras, PA.

Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA.

Memorial contributions can be made to Matamoras Westfall Historical Society, PO Box 26, Matamoras, PA 18336, or to the Pine Grove Cemetery, PO Box 176, Matamoras, PA 18336.

Arrangements by Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY, 845/856-5191, www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com.