Betty Bickel Clark

Betty Bickel Clark was called home to her Heavenly Father, Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the age of 89, surrounded by her family. Chapel services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday October 18th, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with Senior Pastor Kip Osborne officiating. Family and friends will gather at 12:00 p.m. for a visitation before the service. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

The third child of F.E. Bickel and Estella Bickel, Betty graduated from McGregor High School in 1953 and Baylor University in 1957 with a Bachelors of Arts in Education and a minor in Music Education. Betty married Roland V. Clark, Jr. July 9, 1961 in McGregor, Texas. Together for 45 years, they lived lives of dedicated Christian service to their family, church, and community. A career educator, Betty taught elementary music in the Waco ISD for 38 years. In 2007, Betty was inducted into the Baylor University Heritage Club in celebration and recognition of her 50 years as an alumna. She was a longstanding member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for women educators, accepting her 50-year certificate of appreciation in 2018.

Betty’s love for her family and friends was exceeded only by her love for the Lord. Accepting Christ at a young age, she grew in her faith through lifelong acts of Christian service, which included playing piano for church services beginning at age 14, studying and teaching Scripture, and various church activities and committees. A devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, Betty loved the Lord with all her heart and mind.

 She was preceded in death by her devoted husband and best friend, Roland; parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.E. (Pat) Bickel of McGregor, Texas; her sister, Marguerite Lisle of Port Arthur, Texas; and brother Fred Elmore Bickel of Houston, Texas.

 Surviving her are loving daughter, Robyn Clark Partridge and husband Dr. David B. Partridge of Richmond; treasured granddaughter, Meredith Paige Kersten of Austin; sister-in-law, Billie Jean Bothager Clark of Houston; numerous extended family members, and lifelong friend, JoAnn Ingram of Waco.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. David B. Partridge, Western Heights Baptist Church Fidelis S.S. Class, Dan Bishop, Terry Hugo, Jason Maston, Doug and Susan Thorpe, and Joyce Trigger.

 The family expresses deep appreciation to the staffs of Village Forest Care Cottage of Rosenberg, Texas and Star of Texas Hospice of Houston.

 Memorial may be made to Texas Baptist Children’s Home, 1101 N. Mays St, Round Rock, Texas, 78664. The family invites you to leave a memory or message on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com