As Bill was raising his family, he found that he needed to take on commercial commissions.
In 1958 his design for a butter sculpture of Samuel de Champlain for the Canadian National Exhibition easily won him the commission and he continued to make life size figures for the C.N.E,. and the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair for thirty years and later for the New York State Fair at Syracuse. He never considered these "real sculpture" but they were admired by everyone for their likeness and detail. They were a great opportunity to practice quick sculpting of likenesses and portraits. And further, they afforded him the means to support his family.
Some of the subjects were: the headliners at the grandstand show - Red Skelton, Victor Borge, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye etc.; from popular culture - The Bonanza Boys; and The Beatles complete with their instruments; popular sports figures Jean Beliveau and Darryl Strawberry; Prince Philip; The Queen bestowing the title Prince of Wales on Charles; and many other historical events.
In 1958 his design for a butter sculpture of Samuel de Champlain for the Canadian National Exhibition easily won him the commission and he continued to make life size figures for the C.N.E,. and the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair for thirty years and later for the New York State Fair at Syracuse. He never considered these "real sculpture" but they were admired by everyone for their likeness and detail. They were a great opportunity to practice quick sculpting of likenesses and portraits. And further, they afforded him the means to support his family.
Some of the subjects were: the headliners at the grandstand show - Red Skelton, Victor Borge, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye etc.; from popular culture - The Bonanza Boys; and The Beatles complete with their instruments; popular sports figures Jean Beliveau and Darryl Strawberry; Prince Philip; The Queen bestowing the title Prince of Wales on Charles; and many other historical events.
William A. Clements, RCA, AOCA
Bill carving a replacement figurehead for the reconstructed schooner "Nancy", Wasaga, Ontario
Bill working on a butter Sculpture for the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway
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In 1962 he was commissioned to design and make huge hammered bronze doors for Lundy's Lane Church in Niagara Falls, Ontario. That was a huge undertaking.
He also sculpted and cast large terracotta angels featured in a church in Stoney Creek, Ontario.
He also sculpted and cast large terracotta angels featured in a church in Stoney Creek, Ontario.
He was commissioned to replace the figurehead for the schooner "Nancy" which is now at the Nancy Island Historic Site at Wasaga, on Lake Huron, commemorating a battle in the War of 1812 when the ship was lost.
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Bill did these and many other commercial and display sculpting commissions, including portraits and replicas for the Oneida Tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and likenesses for a wax museum. All work that he does not value, but that everyone else admires.
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