William Donald Clifton Sr., lifelong farmer
William Donald Clifton Sr., 88, passed away peacefully at home Monday, Jan. 14, 2021, following a long illness. He was the son of the late W. Carlton and Beatrice Clifton, having been born in the family home Aug. 29, 1932.
Donald Clifton was a lifelong farmer and one of the last Delaware vegetable canners. He was raised on the Clifton family dairy farm. During his career he witnessed dramatic changes in agriculture. As a boy, he handled mule-drawn equipment and in his later years, he drove some of today’s modern machines.
Donald appreciated the aroma of freshly turned soil, the contours of a prize angus bull, and the echo of a two-cylinder Model A John Deere tractor at dusk. He helped his father establish Carlton Clifton & Sons in 1948, eventually becoming owner/operator/president of Clifton Canning Company Inc. until closing the vegetable canning company in 1995.
Donald earned sharpshooter status while serving in the Army National Guard and was an excellent shot as an avid waterfowl hunter. He was also a prolific muskrat trapper in his youth during a time when the cash obtained selling furs could be essential to the family income.
Donald Clifton was first and foremost a family man. He was one of nine children. He married Janie (Ethel Jane Passwaters) July 6, 1956. They had five children, 16 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, whom they loved to have in their home. They were married 57 years until Janie’s passing Oct. 29, 2013.
Donald liked to sing, often breaking out in a Hank Williams tune (he would sing “Hey Good-Lookin” to Janie). His favorite songs, however, were the hymns he sang as a lifelong member of Slaughter Neck United Methodist Church, where he served in several capacities, including Sunday School superintendent, adult Sunday School teacher, trustee and various other committees.
In addition to his wife Janie, Donald Clifton is predeceased by his father and mother, W. Carlton and Beatrice Clifton; sister Ethel Graham; brother Robert Clifton; sister Doris Argo; sister Nancy Rhue; and son David.
He is survived by sisters Vera Reed, Lina Carpenter, Eleanor Ritter and Carlyn Bryan, as well as son William Donald Clifton II and wife Ruth, son Derek Ray Clifton and wife Kristin, daughter Sharon Clifton Stevens and husband Jay, son Darrell Mitchell Clifton and wife Kim. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., with the funeral service Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m., both at Slaughter Neck United Methodist Church, Argos Corner Road, Milford. Interment will be in Slaughter Neck Cemetery, Milford. All in attendance will be required to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Slaughter Neck UMC, PO Box 241, Milford DE 19963.
Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Milton. Online condolences are welcome for the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com
