William Clifton

Funeral services for William C. Clifton will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at New Life Community Baptist Church in Ortonville, MN with Rev. Phillip Ostland officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., prior to the service. Burial will be in the Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ortonville.

William Carl Clifton, of Ortonville, the son of Cecil and Dorothy Clifton, was born February 25, 1937, in Rice Lake, WI. Bill graduated from Appleton High School 1954. Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force on November 16, 1956, and was honorably discharged November 15, 1960. Bill received his training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX and at Amarillo AFB in Potter County, TX. His permanent assignment was at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL where he served for three and a half years. He also spent time in France and West Morocco.

Bill was united in marriage to Sharon Weeding on December 21, 1958. Sharon passed away in 1963. Bill was united in marriage to Joan Giese on July 11, 1965, and they made their home in Ortonville, MN. They were blessed with one daughter. After attending Minneapolis-Moline tractor school, Bill opened his own business - "Wm Clifton Tractor and Auto Repair". He later found his niche as an over-the-road semi truck driver. Bill was a very devoted husband, caring for Joan's needs throughout their marriage. Joan died in 2006. In his later years Bill lived at Fairway View Assisted Living in Ortonville and at Locust Hill in Knoxville, IA and he appreciated the care he received in both homes.

Bill enjoyed stock car racing in his younger years, and later tinkering with the collection of cars that he used for parts, making something from nothing. He cared for Joan's horses and assisted her with gardening and landscaping. Bill found joy by riding his motorcycle and vacationing to Sturgis, SD, visiting family and friends, and spending time with his granddaughters. At any age he loved going for drives in the country, sharing stories of "who lived there and who used to live here". In later years Bill enjoyed riding his new big lawn mower and he took pride in how his yard looked from the road. He was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

Bill died on December 27, 2013, in Knoxville, Iowa, having reached the age of 76.

Survivors include his daughter Holly (Shane) Maglothin and their daughters Morgan and Madison of Knoxville, Iowa; his sisters: Judy Rounsville of Hibbing, MN; Deanna (Duaine) Hobson of Rockford, IL; and Becky (Randy) Stattelman of Ortonville, MN; his brothers-in-law: Daniel (Carol) Giese, Arlen Giese and Ken Kirschbaum; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Sharon; his wife Joan; his parents; his step-father Norel Mathison; his step brother LeRoy Mathison; and his brother-in-law Jim Rounsville.