William J. Clair

CLAIR
WILLIAM J. SR. "NEMO", age 61, on March 20, 2009. Today I lost my best friend. My kindred spirit. The love of my life. The man I wanted to grow old with me. God took you way too early. We had only just begun to enjoy our life together. Besides his immediate family, Bill will be greatly missed by Nora, Lizz and Margie who were not only his sisters-in-law, but his good friends. Bill was a man's man who was well liked by all who met and knew him. He was the best story and joke teller. He loved to rib people but he could take as well as give. At the Post Office Cafe, he was known as the man to go to when you had a problem. He would always listen and try to help you. He met his future wife Eileen in 1965. They were not only lovers but the best of friends. They had their only child (William Jr.) in 1971. He was always a source of pride to both his parents. He has two grand-children, William III born in 1996 and Jason born in 1998. No grandfather could be better to his grandchildren.
Bill was born and raised in the Kensington section. He went to St. Anne's grade school and was active in sports, especially basketball. He went to North Catholic High School. In 1967 he went into the Army and was sent to Vietman. He was discharged in 1969. In 1970 he went to work for the Acme-Hardesty Chemical Company. He worked there until 1980. In 1984 he went to work for the City of Philadelphia in the Sheriff's Department for 22 years, retiring in 2006. He was a member of the Fishtown Division 51 AOH and a member of various other clubs. Bill's real passion was hunting which he enjoyed with two sets of friends - Gary and Pinky. He was just hunting earlier this year and got a 13 point Red Stag. Bill was like a second father to Gary. His second set of hunting friends included Ron, Bill, Joey and Bill Jr. His brother Jim was one of the best friends he ever had. He loved working in his garden and had a real green thumb. His garden was one of the best looking on the block.
Dear husband of Eileen M. (nee Anderson). Beloved father of William J. Jr. (Dawn) and loving grandfather of William J. III and Jason R. He is the brother of Edward (Florita), James (Angelina), Lorraine Murphy (Murph) and John (Louise). Bill is the son of the late Edward and Catherine Clair and the brother of the late Anne Clair and Peggy Potts-Clair.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Thursday eve 7 to 9 P.M. at THE SLABINSKI FUNERAL HOME, 2614 Orthodox St., Phila. An additional viewing will take place on Friday at the funeral home beginning at 10 A.M., Services at Noon. Int. private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory to the Bridesburg Cougars/Fathers Club, 4560 E. Thompson St., Phila. PA 19137 would be appreciated by his family.