William M. Clifford, MD

BELLEFONTE, PA. — William M. Clifford, of State College, Pa., previously of Bridgton and Pelham Manor, N.Y., passed away at home, surrounded by his wife and loving family on Jan. 2, 2013, one week shy of his 88th birthday.

He was born in New York City on Jan. 7, 1925, the son of Michael Francis Clifford and Anne Elizabeth (McNulty). "Bill" was accepted to the pre-med program at Columbia in the fall of 1941, and obtained his medical degree at New York Medical College. Starting in 1952, Dr. Clifford served as Urologist and Triage Officer for the United States Army for the 11th Evacuation Hospital during the Korean War.

On April 12, 1958, he was married to Alyce Helen Cousins, and raised four children in Pelham Manor, N.Y. He is survived by his wife, Alyce of State College, Sister Betty Macomber of Sun City, Ariz., daughters Cathey (Steven) Taft of White Plains, N.Y., Kimberly McMahon of Oxford, Maine, Patricia (Micah) Barbash of State College, Pa., and son William Michael Jr. of Seymour, Conn., along with 11 grandchildren: Holly (Vroom) Villanueva, Cpt. Joshua Taft, and Matthew Taft of White Plains, N.Y.; Shad Clifford, Erin (McMahon) Colby and Jessica McMahon of Maine, Emily, Caroline, William III and Mary Clifford of Shelton, Conn.; and Daniel Barbash of State College, Pa. Also surviving are his six adoring great-grandchildren: Herizen Clifford and Jessie Vessel of Maine; Martin, Seff and Valentino Villanueva of White Plains, N.Y., and Christopher Mas Jr. of Shelton, Conn. He was preceded in death by sister Marion (Edwin) Mallam (N.Y.) and brother Daniel Clifford (Mich.).

Dr. Clifford was devoted to the practice of Urology for over 40 years at the Westchester Square Hospital, Bronx, N.Y., where he was both Chairman of the Board and Head of Medicine. But his devotion to his family went unmatched. He treated them to rich life experiences of culture, travel, education and leisure throughout their lives. He thoroughly enjoyed the ocean, whether it be at the Jersey Shore during childhood summer vacations, the beaches of Breezy Point while visiting his sister Marion, or the crystal waters of St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles, where he owned a vacation home with his  wife. He spent many hours swimming and boating along the shores of Moose Pond in Bridgton, Maine, where he and Alyce resided for many years after his retirement.

Dad was a gentle, caring and generous man to everyone he met, and will be sorely missed by his family. His life will be celebrated at a private family gathering.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service Inc., Bellefonte, Pa. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com