William Lacy Clifton

William Lacy Clifton January 7, 1920 - December 10, 2009 William Lacy Clifton of Waco passed away Thursday, December 10, 2009 at his home. There will be a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 14, at Central Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Charles Packard officiating. There will be a private burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, December 13, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Lacy was born January 7, 1920 in Waco, Texas to Albert Turner Clifton and Mary Helen Lacy Clifton. He graduated from Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana, in 1938; and from Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania in 1942. Lacy served in the U.S. Army Finance Department from Feb. 1942 to Nov. 1945 when he was honorably discharged as a Major. He began his business career in Nov. 1945 at Behrens Drug Company, a wholesale pharmaceutical family business, headquartered in Waco. He ultimately became chairman of the board until the company was sold to Cardinal Health in 1994. During his career at Behrens he served as president of the National Wholesale Druggists’ Association, Alexandria, VA; Service Wholesale Druggists’ Association of Texas; and Texas Drug Travelers Association. He was a director of Druggists’ Service Council, NY, NY and chairman of the Texas Pharmaceutical Foundation of the University of Texas. During his civic career in Waco he served as president of at least five major organizations including, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Waco Boy’s Club, Bluebonnet Girl Scout Council, Citizens Advisory Committee and United Way of Waco-McLennan County. He served as a director of Action Planning Council, Caritas and Goodwill Industries. Mr. Clifton also served as a director of Pharmaceutical Insurance Limited, Bermuda; Texas Products Mfg. Co. Command Air of Waco, United Bankers, Inc. and Westview National Bank. Lacy was a lifetime member of Central Presbyterian Church in Waco where he served as both Elder and Deacon. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Albert Lacy Clifton and William Robert Clifton; and his sister, Mary Burgess. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia R. Clifton; his sons, William L. Clifton, Jr. and wife, Laura; and James R. Clifton and wife, Joann; and daughter, Mary Lacy Clifton Chase and husband, Jim. Also surviving are his five grandchildren, James Reiley Clifton, Jr. and wife, Megan, William Lacy Clifton, III, Pippin Meador Clifton, Christopher Rogers Clifton, and James Clifton Chase. Pallbearers are the five grandchildren and David F. Nemec. Honorary pallbearers are Fred Bostwick, Bill Brooks, Cliff Burgess, Jack Burgess, David Horner, Steve McDonald and Lyndon Olson, Jr. The family would like to thank Dr. James Hodges, the Visiting Angels and Juliana Vences for their loving care and concern for Mr. Clifton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to: Caritas of Waco, 300 S. 15th, Central Texas Senior Ministries, Meals on Wheels, 501 W. Waco Drive, Compassion Ministries, 1421 Austin Ave. or Waco Habitat for Humanity, 220 N. 11th St. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.