Founder Profile
William E. Clark Jr.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is William E. Clark Jr.?
William E. Clark Jr. is a founder of Realty Income Corporation, which was founded in 1969 with Joan Clark.
- Company founded
- Realty Income Corporation
- Founded
- 1969
- Co-founders
- Joan Clark
Background
Bill Clark was a Southern California real estate investor who, with his wife Joan, bought a Northridge Taco Bell property from Taco Bell founder Glen Bell in 1969.
Founding Story
William (Bill) E. Clark Jr. co-founded Realty Income with Joan Clark in 1969. Their idea was to own freestanding commercial properties leased to operating businesses and pass the rent to investors as monthly dividends that increase over time, a mission the company still uses. Realty Income later listed on the NYSE in 1994.