William Clark Rabon, 87, of Lynchburg, Va., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Rabon and Beatrice Clark Rabon; and his sister Mildred Smith.
William was born Nov. 27, 1934, in New London and grew up on Henry Street across from Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. He performed acrobatics with his sister Mildred in his early teens, performing at various local venues. He attended the Bulkeley School in New London and finished high school at New London High. He attended the New London Business College, where he met and later married Margery Ann Whipple on Feb. 3, 1956.
William was employed by several local businesses including Electric Boat, Francis Electronics, and Leiser Sound. He became an excellent television repair man, able to quickly diagnose problems that confounded other technicians.
William accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior in 1978 and immediately had a deep and passionate hunger for the Word of God. He and Margery taught Sunday school together many years at Groton Bible Chapel and along with his dear friend Ron Tagliapietra began Christian ministries to nursing home residents in Westerly, R.I. and later Groton.
William especially enjoyed studying the writings of the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) as often as he could. One mention of those names would get William to start a vigorous debate on the many different facets of their prophecies and our current times. William would always give God the glory.
In 1989, William was seriously injured in a car accident on Route 12 in Gales Ferry. Despite suffering many life-threatening wounds and shattered bones, God was merciful and gave him 32 additional years for which we are eternally grateful. He bore the scars of that day with dignity and continued to strengthen his faith in the God who spared him, sharing the Gospel message with joy to anyone who would listen.
Surviving are his wife, Margery Ann Whipple Rabon; children, John Rabon and his wife Janet, Janet Boucher, Mark Rabon and his wife Kathleen, David Rabon and his wife Deborah, Diane Mezzano and her husband Nick; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Gales Ferry Cemetery. Friends and family are welcome.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, VA, is assisting the family.