William Clifton had a milk business in Salford and became the President of the Manchester and Salford Milk Dealers Association.
He was born in 1842 at Dunham-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire, the son of a farmer. He spent his early days as a shepherd boy, but decided to better himself by coming to Salford and joining the London and North West Railway Company, when he was about 20 years old. In 1872 he married and set up a milk business. He joined the Manchester and Salford Milk Dealers Association in its infancy, became one of its leading officials and promoted many reforms in the trade. He petitioned Parliament to improve the Food Adulteration Act. For several years he filled the position of President of the Association.
William's wife Elizabeth was born in Lincoln in 1844. Their children (all registered at Salford, Regent Road) were Benjamin William, born 1872; Edith, born 1874 and married Joseph Johnson at Christ Church, Salford in 1901; Harry, born November 1875, but sadly died on 25th November 1876, aged only 12 months; Herbert, born 1877; and Ernest born 1880, but sadly died 25th March 1886 in his 7th year. They lived at 199, Eccles New Road. William was an enthusiastic bowler and became President of Albion Bowling Club, Old Trafford.
It was in 1902, that William became ill and after a week he died on Wednesday 5th February in his 60th year. The funeral took place on Saturday 8th February and was an imposing and impressive affair. The hearse and several carriages left his residence at half past one. The window blinds of many houses were drawn on the way to Weaste Cemetery. The principal mourners were Elizabeth, Benjamin, Edith, Herbert and Councillor Hampson. William was buried in plot 33 of the Dissenter's portion.