William “Bill” David Clifton, 81, of Circleville, passed away on Aug. 3, 2012, at his residence with his loving wife by his side.

He was born on Nov. 3, 1930, in Circleville, the son of Elmer E. and Margaret Marie (Wihl) Clifton.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary L (Campen) Clifton; two daughters, Nancy L. Wyrick of Arlington, Texas, and Marie E. “Beth” Howell (Jeff McClanahan) of Circleville; grandchildren, Amy L. (Jeremy) Pike, Drew Wyrick, William D. Clifton II, Stephen Howell, Ryan Clifton and Kevin (Ashley) McClanahan; great-granddaughter, Sydney; sister-in-law, Joanne Trump; nieces and nephew, Susan, Patt, Jan, Jane, Mary Ann, Nancy, Carla and Dan; numerous great nieces and nephews; and special family friend, Cathy VanHorn.

William was preceded in death by his parents; son, David W. Clifton in 2006; brothers, Jack E. and Richard Clifton; sister, Betty J. Nelson; and nephew, Jeffrey Clifton.

He attended Circleville schools and graduated from Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg, W. Va. He attended Ohio University and served in the Army during the Korean Conflict as a military policeman in Japan. Bill worked within the family business and started his own company, Dynamic Sales Inc. in Circleville from 1961 until 2000. He was served as president of Clifton Auto Parts Inc., which he purchased and ran until 2010.

Bill became a licensed pilot at the age of 16 and loved flying his own plane. He was also an avid traveler seeing the United States with Mary in their motorhomes and spending the winters in Florida.

Bill was a member and past president of the Circleville Jaycees, a member of Circleville Rotary Club, a Kentucky Colonel and a member of the Columbus Maennerchor. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. Bill was a member of Pickaway Lodge #23 F & AM, Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus, the Aladdin Shrine in Columbus, a member, past president and past director of the Aladdin Drum and Bugle Corps, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Columbus Court #8 and a member of the Ambassador’s Club of Aladdin Shrine.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville, with Rev. Richard Westinghouse officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Masonic Service at 8 p.m.

The family requests donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.