Fowler Associates Labs

Texas Pastor Killed by Lightning

July 25, 2007

San Antonio, Texas-The pastor of a local San Antonio church was killed by a lightning strike Tuesday afternoon while hiking with his two sons in the Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool. The park is located about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.

50-year-old William Clardy, pastor of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church and his two teenage sons were seeking shelter from the rain under a cedar tree when he was hit by lightning and killed instantly, officials said.

Clardy's 18-year-old son ran for help, but responding emergency personal were unable to revive the pastor. "We were too late when we got there," Los Maples Lead Park Ranger Bill Bailey said. "He was already deceased."

The two brothers suffered non-life-threatening injuries but were rushed to University Hospital for observation and were later released.

"There were mostly burn marks around their ankles where the lightning passed through," Bailey said.

Clardy had been paster at Grace Fellowship Baptist Church located at 7804 Eckhard Road for the past three years.