William Ivy Clapp, 91, of Salem passed away on March 6, 2024 at his residence.
He was born December 4, 1932 in Petersburg, Virginia. William grew up in Asheboro, North Carolina. He served in the United States Army as a crypto equipment repairman during the Korean War. William later graduated from Gaston Technical College in Gastonia, North Carolina. In 1960, he moved his family to Salem Virginia to work as a component engineer for General Electric and retired after 38 years of service. William was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church where he had served as a deacon and elder. He enjoyed camping, playing tennis, playing chess, cruises and family vacations, and was an avid fan of Andrew Lewis and then Salem High School football for many years.
He was a wonderful son, husband and father and will be very missed by his family although they know he is still with them in their hearts and will be with him again in heaven one day. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 69 years, Carol Clapp; daughters, Vickie Bowen and husband Scott Bowen of Raleigh, NC, Janice Clark and husband Michael Clark of Richmond, VA, and Teresa Clapp of Salem, VA; granddaughter, Melissa Hunter and husband Zach Hunter; great grandchildren, Jocelyn, Cora, and Cayman Hunter of Powhatan, VA; grandson, Jensen Clark and fiancé Colleen Marshall of Earlysville, VA; and sister, Colleen Durham and husband Steve Coltrane of Trinity, NC; and several nieces and nephews.
William was preceded in death by his father, William A. Clapp; mother, Ivy P. Williamson; and sister, Vina C. Kerns.
A committal service with military honors will be held in Sherwood Memorial Park on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 11:00 am. A funeral service will follow at Salem Presbyterian Church at Noon. A reception will be held after the funeral service at Salem Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Salem Presbyterian Church, PO Box 536, Salem, VA 24153.