Clifton Joseph Hill

Clifton Joseph Hill, 82, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Clifton was born April 10, 1943 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Edgar and Mabel (Utter) Hill.

Clifton attended school in Shawnee, graduating from Shawnee High school in1962. He went on to attend Oklahoma Baptist University, graduating in 1965.

After graduating, he opened and operated Import Autos, joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard, and taught History at Shawnee High school before joining the Shawnee Fire Department for the next 25 years, retiring as Battalion Chief.

Clifton was an avid antique car enthusiast. His first car was a 1928 Chevrolet, purchased for him by his uncle, and was a treasure that he kept the rest of his life. On May 1, 1975 he opened the Museum of Special Interest Autos.

Clifton loved to attend car shows and swap meets, as well as being a member of the Model A Club, Model T Club, Chevrolet Club, Jaguar Club, Studebaker Club, Horseless Carriage Club, as well as many others.

He and his family were lifelong members of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Clifton is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Mabel Hill; brother, Opa K. Boyd, sister Nedra Pitt, and his beloved uncle Raymond Utter, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; daughter, Katherine Hill and Jerry Easley of Shawnee, OK; one grandson, Danny Leeder, of Shawnee, OK; two granddaughters, Kayla and Andy Towsend of Macomb, OK, and Kara and Paden McCullough of Tecumseh, OK; 10 great-grandchildren; brother Gary and Jeanie Hill of Ardmore, OK; special cousin, Ray Utter of Shawnee, OK, and many other cousins and friends.

Anyone attending with an antique or classic automobile is urged to drive it to the service.

Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 16, 2025, with family gathering from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Cooper Funeral Home. Service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 302 E. Independence, Shawnee, Oklahoma with Reverend Gerard Nsabimana officiating. Casket will remain closed during the service. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.