Obituary

Clift, William Anally “Bill”, of Aliso Viejo, California passed away at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on February 20, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on September 12, l951 in Denison, Texas to Robert & Janie Clift who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brothers John Edward and Jimmy and his sister Gail.

A born adventurer, Bill spent his younger years in the Boy Scouts of America with his father who was a Scoutmaster. He enjoyed exploring along Lake Texoma where his family had their home, and would bring home treasured artifacts such as arrowheads and Indian bowls. He traveled to the Philippines in his forties where in a diving expedition he and his pals discovered a wrecked ship. They brought back much sunken treasure and buried artifacts. Bill’s last adventure was one of his greatest loves, prospecting for gold. In a joint venture with his wife and father-in-law, they purchased a mining claim after his liver transplant so he could spend his retirement enjoying his extra God given time.

Always creative, one of his early passions was for Architecture and Design. After attending Utah State University where he studied landscaping and architecture, he started a Cedar Home Construction business in Texas. He was also one of the early pioneers of Solar energy. He built and upgraded many homes to solar power. When he passed he was creating a water pump system that is solar powered and incredibly efficient. We hope to see this project to its completion.

He was also very athletic. While living in Colorado and Utah he loved to ski and climb mountains. He worked in ski rescue and enjoyed propelling down mountains and free climbing. Through ski rescue he discovered a passion for helping those in need. He became an EMT in Texas where he worked for the Denison Fire Department for a number of years.

Bill will be missed. His many stories have opened our minds to endless possibilities. His boundless love has warmed our hearts. Though he was taken from us far too soon, this was a man who really lived and taught us to live. We are blessed to have known him.

He is survived by his wife and soul mate Cindy, his cherished daughter Lindsay Clift (Casey Zimmerman) of New Orleans and stepson Andrew Borkowski of Las Vegas with whom he had a very close father/son relationship. Andrew followed in Bill’s footsteps by becoming an EMT/Paramedic. He also leaves behind his parents-in-law Ron & Marlene Friedman and brothers-in-law Stan Friedman (Lisa) and Kenny Friedman (Yvette). Let us not forget his two canine companions, Chance & Choco, who never left his side.

Bill is also survived by his brother Robert Clift (Judy), and sisters Mary Jane Cole (Bill) and Barbara Francis (Dick), all of Bella Vista, Arkansas.

~ A celebration of his life will take place at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at El Toro Mobile Estates Clubhouse, 24921 Muirlands, Lake Forest, CA 92630. ~