William David Clinton

1954 - 2023

Oct. 23, 1954 – Oct. 6, 2023

William "Bill" Clinton passed away at home on Oct. 6, 2023, at the age of 68, after a four-year battle with lung cancer. Bill was born in Atlantic, on Oct. 23, 1954. The youngest of seven children born to Earl Francis Clinton and Lois Waters Clinton, he grew up on the farm in Massena, riding horses, playing sports, and developing a work hard/play hard attitude that stayed with him throughout life. Bill graduated from C&M High School in 1972 and married his hometown sweetheart, Terri Sue Pederson, in 1975. They had three children that thought he hung the moon. He managed the local co-op before moving to Lawson, Mo. in 1987.
In Missouri, Bill worked for a book distribution company, managed Lawson Feed & Supply, and was an inventory control clerk for Dawn Foods in Kansas City. He had great integrity and took pride in his work, but never let it crowd out the fun. Bill loved golfing, playing cards, and joking around with his many friends. He had a mischievous personality, an acerbic wit, and a penchant for exaggerated storytelling that always made him the life of the party. He also knew how to enjoy the simple pleasures: summer days, conversations by the fire, a well-maintained tree line, honey whiskey, and all things chocolate. Surprising his family with a level of indulgence not formerly seen, his grandchildren held the softest spot in his heart, and he spent much of his retirement doting on them.
Bill is survived by Sue Clinton, his wife of 48 years, by his side to the end; his three children, Lee Clinton, Sarah Clinton (Michael Tilford), and Laura Wood (Jonathan Wood); six grandchildren, Evan and Olivia Clinton, Elliott Tilford, and Joanna, Logan, and Jacqueline Wood; three siblings, Patrick (Lou) Clinton, Carol (Larry) Murray, and Joseph (Kathryn) Clinton; and countless other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Lois Clinton, and siblings, Donna Sue Poppema, Mary Jo Clinton, and Robert Clinton.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lakeview Event Center, overlooking Lawson City Lake, 19959 N. Raum, Lawson, Mo. 64062. The family will hold a private burial at Lawson Cemetery at a later date.