William Stewart Clendinen's Obituary
William Stewart Clendinen, 83, of Eustis, passed away November 4, 2020, after a long illness. He was born July 25, 1937 in Evansville, Indiana to Stuart Archer and Velma Hawkins Clendinen. Bill graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1955 and received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from The Florida State University. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. A leader in student politics, he was elected president of his Freshman and Sophomore classes, president of his fraternity, and secretary of the little-known honor society, Nu Nu Mu.
Bill devoted his professional life to sports and education. He coached basketball in high school (Clewiston, FL; Leesburg, FL; Winter Park, FL), junior college (Pensacola Junior College), and college (Jacksonville University, Florida State University, Clemson University). He led the Leesburg Senior High Men to the 1977 State of Florida Class AAA Championship. He also served in school administration in Orange County and Lake County Schools. He made a lasting and positive impact on the lives of his players and students.
Bill devoted his personal life to his family, the outdoors, travel, all types of card games, and classic films (especially John Ford’s The Quiet Man). He was previously married to Carlyn Ann Donath (1960-1992) and Carol Krupa Smith (1992-2009). Bill is survived by his brother, Lary (Carrie) of Xenia, OH; his three sons: Stewart (Tanja) of Tallahassee; Charles (Karen) of Summerfield, NC; John (Heather) of Eustis; his grandchildren: Wesley (Haley), Rebecca, Anna Scott, Will, Jack, Rachel, Henry, Nathan, and Benjamin; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 12 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Eustis. Interment will take place immediately following in the St. Thomas Church Memory Garden. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, FL 32778. St. Thomas Episcopal Church will handle all service arrangements.
Newspapers: Evansville (IN) Courier and Press, Greensboro (NC) News and Record, Huntsville (AL) Times, Lakeland Ledger, Leesburg Daily Commercial, Orlando Sentinel, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Tallahassee Democrat, Valley News (Fallbrook, CA), Xenia (OH) Gazett
Services have been entrusted to Hamlin and Hilbish Funeral Directors
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