Firefighter William Hal Clark‚ 54‚ of Atlantic‚ Virginia‚ answered his final call‚ in the line of duty on Saturday‚ September 24‚ 2010. He was fighting a brush fire in New Church‚ Virginia‚ when he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Hal was a lifetime member and president of Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company. He was very active in fundraising for the company and always had a good meal prepared for his fellow firefighters. Hal was also a past member of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company as an engineer. He was very dedicated to volunteering at the Chincoteague Carnival‚ cooking fritters‚ building benches and buildings for the annual Pony Auction‚ and also helping to keep the herd of wild ponies watered during the summer.

Hal worked for the Town of Chincoteague in the public works and water departments‚ where he was a model employee known for his positive attitude. A natural leader‚ Hal was dedicated to the protection of the lives and property of his fellow residents and was admired by his colleagues for his experience and expertise in fighting fires.

He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post #159 and the American Legion Riders.

William Harold Hal Clark was born in Salisbury‚ Maryland‚ on March 13‚ 1956‚ the son of the late Bill and Virginia (Shields) Clark. He is survived by his daughter‚ Valerie Clark Merritt‚ and her husband‚ Keith; a granddaughter‚ Virginia Jenna Lynn Merritt; a brother‚ Skibo Clark‚ and his wife‚ Cristy; a sister‚ Sheila Gallagher; and his stepmother‚ Jean Boggs Clark; all of Chincoteague. He is also survived by several nieces‚ nephews‚ aunts‚ uncles‚ and cousins. He was predeceased by a son‚ William Todd Clark‚ who was also a firefighter.

The Atlantic and Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Companies lost a great friend‚ firefighter‚ and mentor. Hal will always be remembered for his outstanding dedication to these companies.

Like a shining star you graced us‚
Like a falling star you left us.
We laughed‚ we cried‚ we played‚ we worked‚
Till duty’s call would break us.