Billy Clifton

Cranwell

Billy Clifton Cranwell passed away at his home in Champion, NE on October 22, 2026 with his grandson at his side.

Billy was born on August 3, 1938 in Lamar, NE to Myrle Clifton and Ruth Elizabeth (Tatum) Cranwell. Bill grew up on the farm in Lamar where he also attended school until later merging with Imperial. Billy graduated from Chase County High School in 1956.

Shortly after graduating, Bill met and married the love of his life, Molly Parsons. Not long after their nuptials, Bill joined the United States Army and was assigned the position of MP and stationed in Germany during the Viet Nam War. Billy enjoyed his time in Germany and in the military. He took pride and had numerous opportunities to train German civilians in boxing and hand to hand combat, self-defense training using a ring that was built by the Army.

After receiving his honorable discharge, Bill and Molly spent most of the life in Fort Lupton and Brighton, CO areas until deciding to retire in Champion. Bill did not like to sit still, not even in retirement. He enjoyed bird watching, being in nature, tinkering in the garage and around the house, fixing anything that needed it, spending time with his wife and family, and was a voracious solver of crossword and sudoku puzzles. He completed hundreds of books.

Bill was, for the most part, quiet and kept to himself. He loved deeply and was extremely devoted to his wife and family. Bill and Molly were pleasantly surprised when the need arose to raise and adopt their grandson, Keith. Bill did not hesitate to take him in from birth and raised him as his own son. When the time came, and Bill needed someone to help, Keith did not hesitate to relocate to Champion and aid his grandfather. Helping people is what Bill did and is what he taught others to do.

Billy is survived by his sons, Robert (Shauna Berendt) and Richard; daughters, Virginia Cranwell (Mark Leonard) and Catherin Ovalle, his brother, Bob (Debra); sister, Kathy (Bob) Eaton; and 5 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Molly.

An open house has been scheduled from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Saturday October, 31 at Billy’s residence, 120 2nd Street, Champion, NE.