Clark Wille Obituary

Clark Wille or "Coach Wille" to many, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 1, 1949. Passed away in Eminence, Missouri, on May 21, 2024. He was 74 years old.

He was one of the greatest Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Missouri has ever had. His achievements include having been named sixteen times the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Coach of the Year at the college or high school level. In 1982, while at Herculaneum High, Clark was named National High School Cross Country Coach of the Year. His induction into the Halls of Fame list includes the following: Lindbergh High School Hall of Fame, the Missouri Baptist University Hall of Fame, the Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 1990 the Missouri State Track Coaches Hall of Fame. He produced hundreds of decorated athletes. He truly loved winning, but his favorite part of coaching was molding his athletes. He desired for them to be winners in life. He taught them to value the importance of building good character on and off the field. He also taught them giving up was never an option and to believe they could do and accomplish more in life.

He dedicated his life to learning the secrets of success in track and field and cross country. From listening intently to the college track athletes in his old track House at SEMO to devouring books and articles on coaching techniques, Clark has been a study in athletic motion. He could never deny help for an athlete bent on improving. He was simply a phone call away and was more than happy to impart his wisdom to help a coach or runner find success.

Coach Wille is survived by his children and their spouses, Jake and Tracey Wille, and Stacy and Ryan Ruble; his seven grandchildren, Taylor Ruble, Kendall Ruble, Zeke Ruble, Maddie Wille, Ryuss Ruble, Evie Wille, and Kolgrim Wille; his sister Lois Cox; and her two children and their spouses, Tracy and Tony Edwards, and T.C. and Emilia Hirsch; and their children, Blake Beineke, Cody Edwards, and Bryce Edwards, Miles Hirsch, and Kai Hirsch.

There are not enough words in the English dictionary to convey how much he will be missed by our family. He was larger than life and a Super Nova to us all.

Please join us for A Celebration of Life at Andre's Banquet & Catering West on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 6:00 pm. At approximately 6:45, the family will have a few words of dedication. We will be serving finger foods and have an open bar. Andre's is located at 211 S Old Hwy 141, Fenton, MO 63026. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice to honor Coach. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.

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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch from May 29 to May 30, 2024.