William P. Clark Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William P. Clark Jr.
44th United States Secretary of the Interior
In office November 18, 1983 – February 7, 1985
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	James G. Watt
Succeeded by	Donald P. Hodel
11th United States National Security Advisor
In office January 4, 1982 – October 17, 1983
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Richard V. Allen
Succeeded by	Robert McFarlane
6th United States Deputy Secretary of State
In office February 25, 1981 – February 9, 1982
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Warren Christopher
Succeeded by	Walter Stoessel
Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
In office March 23, 1973 – February 25, 1981
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Raymond E. Peters
Succeeded by	Allen Broussard
Personal details
Born	William Patrick Clark Jr. (1931-10-23)October 23, 1931 Oxnard, California, U.S.
Died	August 10, 2013(2013-08-10) (aged 81) Shandon, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Johanna Brauner ​ ​ (m. 1955; her death 2009)​
Children	5
Education	Stanford University Loyola Marymount University

William Patrick Clark Jr. (October 23, 1931 – August 10, 2013) was an American rancher, judge, and public servant. He worked for President Ronald Reagan. He served as the Deputy Secretary of State from 1981 to 1982. Later, he became the United States National Security Advisor from 1982 to 1983. Finally, he was the Secretary of the Interior from 1983 to 1985.

Early Life and Education

William Patrick Clark Jr. was born in Oxnard, California on October 23, 1931. His parents were William Petit and Bernice Gregory Clark.

He attended Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai. After high school, Clark went to Stanford University and Loyola Law School. He also managed his ranch at the same time. He did not finish his degrees at Stanford or Loyola. However, he passed the California state bar exam to become a lawyer. He also served in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps.

Career in Government

Serving California

In the 1960s and 1970s, Clark held several important jobs in California's government. In September 1967, he became the Executive Secretary for Governor Ronald Reagan.

From 1969 to 1971, Clark was a judge in Paso Robles. In 1971, Governor Reagan made him an Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal. In January 1973, Governor Reagan appointed Clark to the California State Supreme Court. He served there until February 1981.

Working in Washington, D.C.

In 1980, Ronald Reagan became President of the United States. Clark's career reached its highest point when Reagan chose him as National Security Advisor. This made him a very important helper to the President.

Clark was a longtime rancher friend of Reagan. He could walk into Reagan's office without an appointment. This was very unusual for top officials. Clark is known for helping convince Reagan that the Soviet Union could be pushed to the brink of collapse. This idea was not supported by everyone in the White House.

In September 1983, the Secretary of the Interior, James G. Watt, resigned. Clark asked to take his place and was appointed to the role. He served as Secretary of the Interior until 1985.

Returning to California

Clark with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in 2001

After his time in Washington, D.C., Clark went back to California. He worked in law and other businesses.

After some important hearings in Congress, Clark privately wrote to President Reagan. He asked Reagan to pardon three of his aides who faced charges. Later, under President George H. W. Bush, Clark also helped get a pardon for his friend Caspar Weinberger.

In July 2011, Clark joined the United States Energy Security Council. This group works to reduce the country's reliance on oil for transportation.

Thoughts on Politics

As National Security Advisor, Clark often talked with former presidents. He visited Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and Gerald Ford. He would share important information with them. He believed that talking with past leaders was key to success.

Clark was concerned about how politics worked in the early 21st century. He felt there was less teamwork between political parties than in the past. He worried that this made it harder for the government to work well.

Retirement and Passing

Clark retired to his ranch near Shandon, California. He built a small chapel there. On August 10, 2013, Clark passed away at his home in Shandon. He was 81 years old. He is buried at the Shandon Cemetery.

Giving Back to the Community

In 1988, Clark was badly hurt in an airplane crash on his ranch. His ranch manager, Jesus Muñoz, saved him from the wreckage. Because he was grateful for his recovery, he and his family built a chapel on their ranch.

They also donated a beautiful Spanish ceiling to the Thomas Aquinas College library. These items came from old European buildings. Clark bought them from the Hearst Corporation. The chapel in Shandon is open to the public.

The auditorium at Villanova Preparatory School was named after Judge Clark. This was to honor him as a respected former student and for his generous gifts to the school.

Personal Life

On May 5, 1955, William Clark married Johanna M. "Joan" Brauner. She was from Bern, Switzerland. They had five children together. Joan Clark passed away in April 2009.

Videos

• Remembering Judge William P. Clark, Jr. (3:09 mins). Youtube.com.
• Four Biographies: Clark, Veliotes, Habib, Percy (1983). National Archives.

See also

In Spanish: William Patrick Clark para niños

• List of justices of the Supreme Court of California