Article Number : 628 |
|
Article Detail |
|
 | |
| Date | 10/10/2005 5:10:01 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=628 |
| Abstract | San Antonio, Tex.—Bill Clark was warm and compassionate with a ready smile and a helping hand. He was so charismatic that he numbered among his friends, colleagues and competitors alike... |
| Article | San Antonio, Tex.—Bill Clark was warm and compassionate with a ready smile and a helping hand. He was so charismatic that he numbered among his friends, colleagues and competitors alike. His career spanned more than four decades, during which he made significant contributions to the resilient flooring industry and to Azrock Industries, the company he served for his entire career. Earlier this year, he became ill and remained house-bound until Sept. 25, when he succumbed to the ailment. The cause of death has not been disclosed. He was 84. William Kalar Clark was born premature in 1921 in Prairie Lea, Tex., weighing under three pounds. He was so fragile, he said, he was kept alive in a shoe box in a country oven. He grew up in Frentress, Tex., and later moved to San Antonio where he graduated from Jefferson High School. He went on to the University of Texas and after graduating, he entered the U.S. Navy and served during World War II as a Lieutenant Commander in the Aleutian Islands. The Navy sent him to the Harvard Graduate School of Business, after which he was assigned to dispose of Navy surplus materials. It was that early experience that prepared him for the business career that awaited him. After his discharge from the military, he attended Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he was president of his class, and graduated with honors. He returned home and sought employment and found it with a company that he would eventually lead and remain with until his retirement. The company—Uvalde Rock Asphalt Co.—produced rock asphalt paving materials and manufactured asphalt floor tile as the Azrock Floor Products Division. The Azrock plant was in Houston and in 1948, he became a sales representative for the company. I met Bill Clark in 1955 during a New York summer market. Azrock showed its products in a hotel suite in midtown Manhattan. I was in the industry a couple of months, he was a seven-year veteran and he was hospitable, patient and caring. I remember his advice back then, “Don’t just do your job the best you can, do it better than anyone can.” He held the bar high for everyone—including himself. He was generous in his praise and never diminished the achievements of subordinates or competitors. Clark grew with Azrock and heightened the fledgling company’s recognition in the industry. He moved up in rank and stature through the years and made impactful contributions in essential areas —product development, sales and styling. His sharp sense of fashion influenced the currency of design and kept Azrock products in the forefront of industry advancement. In 1966, he became vice president of sales and a corporate director. He was innovative and resourceful and totally dedicated to the company. In 1973, he was named executive vice president and a year later was promoted to president, chairman and CEO. During his tenure, the corporate name was changed to Azrock Industries and asphalt tile was replaced by vinyl composition tile and the company continued to grow. Clark, always involved with product development and manufacturing, instituted new technologies as they became available, constantly upgrading the production process. He made Azrock a national style leader and a profitable enterprise for the parent company. Domco Industries acquired Azrock in 1992 and Clark remained as a consultant with the titles of Azrock chairman emeritus and Domco Ambassador-at-large. He retired the following year, bringing to an end a most illustrious career, one of outstanding accomplishment, loyalty, integrity and populated with legions of friends. To honor his persistent efforts in keeping aloft his standards and those of the industry and his company, it was fitting in 1994 when he was inducted into the World Floor Covering Association’s Industry Hall of Fame. He is at home in the pantheon of the industry’s most distinguished leaders. He was deeply involved in the floor covering industry and served in many capacities. He was president of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute for six terms, the last being 1994-1995. He was the resilient manufacturer board member of the American Floorcovering Association and the National Association of Floor Covering Distributors. He also served as Foundation board chairman of the National Home Fashions League and was a board member of the International Furnishings & Design Association and the Dallas Market Center. Clark loved to travel, for business and pleasure. He visited many countries and was fascinated by their diverse cultures. During a visit to his home, he proudly explained his extensive collection of art, sculpture and mementos he gathered on his journeys abroad. In a sense, they defined him—unique, charming and enduring. Clark never married but is survived by nieces and nephews and their families. A brother, Dr. Archibald Fletcher Clark, Jr., preceded him in death. The family requests that memorials in his honor be made to the Floor Covering Industry Foundation, 2211 East Howell Ave., Anaheim, Calif., 92806. |