Clifford was raised in the rural Berwick home of his parents, baptized in the Berwick Lutheran Church and received his education in the Norway District # 2 rural school near his home.  After his schooling, he worked on the family farm and honed his mechanical skills.  On June 15, 1945, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force and served as a mechanic until his honorable discharge on November 7, 1946.  Following his tour of duty, Clifford returned to the Berwick area and began to farm.  On October 28, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marcella Elverud in the Berwick Lutheran Church.  Following their marriage, the couple made their home and farmed south of Berwick until 1957, when Clifford and Marcella moved to Towner where he started working for Carl Lindberg as a mechanic in the John Deere Implement.  Clifford eventually purchased the implement, took in his brother, Arnold as partner and operated it together until 1978, when they sold it.  Marcella died January 10, 1975.  On June 6, 1975, he was united in marriage to Twila Mongeon Stevenson at Zion Lutheran Church in Towner, North Dakota.  Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Towner and in 1978; Clifford was elected McHenry County Sheriff, serving in that capacity until 1991.

Clifford was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post # 34 for 53 years and the North Dakota Peace Officers Association.  He had served as a Towner Council Member for several terms and 19 years as Chief of the Towner Volunteer Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, Twila; step children, Wayne (Theone) Stevenson of Rugby, Celeste (Kyle) Hanson of Minot and Kaloa (Robert) Wade of Dickinson; his step grandchildren, Travis Hiller, April Hiller, Christie Chernick, Richard Wade, Scott Wade and Eric Stevenson; eight step great grandchildren; one brother, Arnold of Towner; his best friend & pal, Kramer the cat;  sister-in-law, Marion Nelson, Rugby; brother-in-law, Duane Elverud, Ulm, Montana; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcella; one sister and brother-in-law, Myrtle and Morris Halvorson; and his parents.