Billylyn Clark Ekstrom

WESLACO - Billylyn Clark Ekstrom, a well-known Texas artist and art instructor, passed away on January 27, 2017, at the age of 90. She was born in Weslaco, Texas to J.E. and Claudia Odom Clark. Billylyn attended schools in Weslaco and Port Isabel, where her grandmother, Angie Belle Odom, was a teacher. She graduated cum laude from UT Pan American (Edinburg College) with an art certification. Billylyn began painting in 1958 and, for the most part, was self taught. However, she studied under some of the best-known artists in the nation, including Fredrick Taubes and John Robert Squires. She opened her art studio in 1977 after teaching art in the public schools for ten years. At one time, she had more than one hundred students per week. In the 90s, Billylyn lost her central vision and was declared legally blind. She continued her art studio with a limited number of professional artists who studied with her. She devoted her time to mentoring and continued to produce award-winning art. She taught until her health began to decline. Billylyn will be remembered as a strong, independent woman with a keen sense of adventure and fun. She often said that "Art is my life," and she instilled the appreciation and love of art in her many students. She will be dearly missed. Billylyn was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, James Clark, and her husband, Arne Ekstrom. She is survived by a cousin, Barbara Odom Crooks, from Kerrville and her stepchildren, Arne and Ann Ekstrom, Robert and Sharon Ekstrom, Christine and Thomas Messina, and their families. The family would like to thank her devoted caregivers, Beto and Josephina, and express a heart felt appreciation for all the love and support of Lana Marie Paris and Billie Vanderveer. Visitation will be held at McCaleb Funeral Home on Monday, January 30th, from 5pm to 8pm. Graveside services will be held at 10am on Tuesday, January 31st, at Highland Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are under the care of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco.