Former Reagan aide William P. Clark dies at 81

Sunday, August 11, 2013

photo President Ronald Reagan signs the papers accepting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the United States government during ceremonies in Washington in this Nov. 11, 1984 file photo. With the President are: Jan Scruggs, President of the Memorial Fund, Interior Secretary William P. Clark and his wife, and Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. William P. Clark, who rose from campaign volunteer to one of President Ronald Reagan's most trusted advisers, has died. He was 81. Clark's son, Paul, said his father died Saturday Aug. 10, 2013 at his ranch home in Central California after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

LOS ANGELES - William P. Clark, who rose from campaign volunteer to one of President Ronald Reagan's most trusted advisers, has died. He was 81.

Clark's son, Paul, said his father died Saturday at his ranch home in Central California after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

The elder Clark began working for Reagan by managing the actor's 1966 gubernatorial campaign in Ventura County, Calif., then ascended to various political jobs as Reagan moved from the Golden State to the White House.

He worked for Reagan in Sacramento, was appointed by him to serve on several California courts before moving to Washington to serve as deputy secretary of state and national security adviser. He also served as Interior secretary before returning to his private law practice and business consulting firm.

Clark is survived by five children.