PAUL J. CLIFFORD, US ARMY (RET) June 30, 1922 - May 29, 2015 Lt. Col. Paul J. Clifford, US Army (Ret.) passed away on Friday, May 29, 2015. He was born in Norwich, New York to Paul Hollister and Gladys Mae Brooks Clifford. A proud veteran of the US Army who served during WWII in Europe and North Africa, he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions as part of an encounter with German tanks in Metz, France in September, 1944. Lt. Col. Clifford also served in the Korean War and in Vietnam in an advisory capacity. Lt. Col. Clifford's military career was complex and like many of his generation, not something that he discussed casually. Over the years, certain details emerged including a book chronicling tank battles in North Africa in which he was mentioned. His stories from France and Japan, when shared, were fascinating. His military service took him and his wife, Shirley E. ("Sally") Clifford (nee Riddle), and family to posts in Baltimore, MD; Monterey, CA where he attended the Army Language School and became fluent in Japanese; two separate postings in Japan in Akita and Nagoya; JUSMAG in Manila, Philippines; San Antonio, TX; Atlanta, GA and finally, Honolulu, HI where he retired from active duty. He continued his work for the intelligence community in the US Civil Service but rarely divulged any details of his work. Upon retiring from Civil Service, he commenced a third career as an investigator for the State of Hawaii for the Welfare Fraud and Child Support Enforcement Departments. He even volunteered with the Honolulu Police Department as a Senior Patrol Officer ticketing drivers who violated handicapped parking regulations. After working for the State for 13 years, he retired again at age 73 to move to Las Vegas with his second wife, Faith Clausen, to be closer to his three and her six adult children. Paul and Faith married in 1984 on the island of Kauai and had 13 wonderful years together until her death in 1997. While in Las Vegas, he obtained a private detective's license and visited casinos to ensure their machines were properly calibrated. Paul was an accomplished singer and during his time in Hawaii, he performed with the Sounds of Aloha Barbershop Chorus and travelled to competitions on the mainland. His singing voice was described in a 1935 Norwich, NY newspaper article as "one of the finest in Norwich and vicinity" at age 13! Faith often performed with him as part of the Sweet Adelines group. They also loved to travel, take cruises and entertain. They never passed up the chance to dress up and get out on the dance floor. He was also an accomplished bowler and weekend golfer and one of the last great whistlers. Lt. Col. Clifford relocated to the Army Residence Center in 2002 where he remained active in many local and national intelligence and counter intelligence organizations and groups, serving as president and in other capacities. He is survived by his children: J. Stephen Clifford and wife, Wanda; Ashley Fenton; Dan Clifford; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Dawson; former wife, Patty Morris, and many wonderful friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert, and sister, Dorothy ("Dotty"). Services were held June 4, 2015 at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas. You are invited to sign The guestbook at www.porterloring.com
PAUL J. CLIFFORD, US ARMY (RET) June 30, 1922 - May 29, 2015 Lt. Col. Paul J. Clifford, US Army (Ret.) passed away on Friday, May 29, 2015. He was born in Norwich, New York to Paul Hollister and Gladys Mae Brooks Clifford. A proud veteran of the US Army who served during WWII in Europe and North Africa, he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions as part of an encounter with German tanks in Metz, France in September, 1944. Lt. Col. Clifford also served in the Korean War and in Vietnam in an advisory capacity. Lt. Col. Clifford's military career was complex and like many of his generation, not something that he discussed casually. Over the years, certain details emerged including a book chronicling tank battles in North Africa in which he was mentioned. His stories from France and Japan, when shared, were fascinating. His military service took him and his wife, Shirley E. ("Sally") Clifford (nee Riddle), and family to posts in Baltimore, MD; Monterey, CA where he attended the Army Language School and became fluent in Japanese; two separate postings in Japan in Akita and Nagoya; JUSMAG in Manila, Philippines; San Antonio, TX; Atlanta, GA and finally, Honolulu, HI where he retired from active duty. He continued his work for the intelligence community in the US Civil Service but rarely divulged any details of his work. Upon retiring from Civil Service, he commenced a third career as an investigator for the State of Hawaii for the Welfare Fraud and Child Support Enforcement Departments. He even volunteered with the Honolulu Police Department as a Senior Patrol Officer ticketing drivers who violated handicapped parking regulations. After working for the State for 13 years, he retired again at age 73 to move to Las Vegas with his second wife, Faith Clausen, to be closer to his three and her six adult children. Paul and Faith married in 1984 on the island of Kauai and had 13 wonderful years together until her death in 1997. While in Las Vegas, he obtained a private detective's license and visited casinos to ensure their machines were properly calibrated. Paul was an accomplished singer and during his time in Hawaii, he performed with the Sounds of Aloha Barbershop Chorus and travelled to competitions on the mainland. His singing voice was described in a 1935 Norwich, NY newspaper article as "one of the finest in Norwich and vicinity" at age 13! Faith often performed with him as part of the Sweet Adelines group. They also loved to travel, take cruises and entertain. They never passed up the chance to dress up and get out on the dance floor. He was also an accomplished bowler and weekend golfer and one of the last great whistlers. Lt. Col. Clifford relocated to the Army Residence Center in 2002 where he remained active in many local and national intelligence and counter intelligence organizations and groups, serving as president and in other capacities. He is survived by his children: J. Stephen Clifford and wife, Wanda; Ashley Fenton; Dan Clifford; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Dawson; former wife, Patty Morris, and many wonderful friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert, and sister, Dorothy ("Dotty"). Services were held June 4, 2015 at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas. You are invited to sign The guestbook at www.porterloring.comOur deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
