Dell Clayton Clifford

Dell Clayton Clifford, known to most as Clayton, died peacefully at home in Shoshone, Idaho on September 15, 2026, after a lingering struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 91.

Clayton was born July 12, 1935, in Logan, Utah, to John Laurence Clifford and LaVera Ellen Packer. He spent most of his life in Shoshone, where he built several homes, raised his family, worked for the city, and made a life among people he knew and cared about.

Clayton worked as the city overseer for Shoshone and could fix almost anything. He had a good mechanical mind and enjoyed figuring out how things worked and how to keep them working. There was usually a project underway—an antique car being restored, farm or yard equipment being repaired, or some other puzzle waiting to be figured out. He especially enjoyed sharing that work with his sons.

Clayton built his own house and worked a small acreage where, at various times, there were sheep, cows, chickens, and pigs. When neighbors asked what he was raising on the farm, he would answer, “I am not raising livestock, I am raising boys.” Working alongside him was how his sons learned much of what he knew. There was always plenty to be done. Even fishing and camping often included cutting firewood and taking care of whatever needed to be done. Clayton taught by doing.

He also loved to visit. He could sit with friends or family for hours. Many New Year's Eves were spent around a tournament of Hearts and dominoes, playing and visiting late into the night.

Music was a natural part of Clayton's gatherings. At family get-togethers, he would pull out a guitar and people would gather around while he played and sang, and anyone else was welcome to sing along. He played by ear and could pick out songs on the guitar, piano, banjo, trumpet, and other instruments. He loved folk songs, popular standards, and especially country and western ballads with a good story in them.

Clayton also inherited his mother's love of poetry. She taught him poetry as a boy, and he carried thousands of lines of poems and song lyrics with him throughout his life. As singing became difficult for him in his later years, poetry became an increasingly important way for him to express himself and share the words he loved. Something said in conversation might remind him of a poem, and he would recite it for whoever was listening.

Clayton was married first to Betty Rose Bollar in 1967. Together they had four sons: Russell, a son who was stillborn, Richard, and Laurence. After Betty's death in August 1983, Clayton's faith, which had not always been central to his life, became deeply important to him.

In October 1983, Clayton married Venna Mae Calderwood in Elko, Nevada. They shared a life of faith and service, including nine years as ordinance workers in the Boise Temple, along with other Church callings and opportunities to serve. They remained together until Venna Mae's death in 2020.

We will miss Clayton deeply. But we do not believe this goodbye is forever. We take comfort in the faith Clayton came to cherish—that he has returned to the presence of his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and has been reunited with the loved ones who went before him. We imagine that reunion with joy and look forward to the day when our family will be together again.

Clayton is survived by his sons, Russell John Clifford, Richard James Clifford, and Laurence Jacinto Clifford; his sister, Marie Jane “Janie” Marshall; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Russell was Clayton's primary caregiver from 2020 until his death.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Rose Bollar; his wife, Venna Mae Calderwood; his parents, John Laurence Clifford and LaVera Ellen Packer; his son who was stillborn; and his siblings Jack, Fern, Ruth, and Laura.

A viewing will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at the Shoshone Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A graveside dedication will follow at Shoshone City Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Clayton's memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com