Bill Clifton: key obituary facts
Is Bill Clifton dead? Yes. Bill Clifton died on October 30, 2026, at age 95.
Cause of death: Bill Clifton's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Bill Clifton known for?
He was an American musician.
More about Bill Clifton
Born: 5 April 1931.
Place of birth: Ruxton-Riderwood.
Gender: male.
Occupation: musician, singer, country musician.
Nationality: United States.
Education: University of Virginia.
Children: Charles 'Tad' Marburg.
Career began: 1952.
Genres: Bluegrass, folk.
Occupations: Musician, guitarist, singer, songwriter.
Instruments: Guitar, autoharp.
Years active: 1952–2026.
Bill Clifton, an American bluegrass musician and singer, died October 30, 2026, aged 95.
Born William August Marburg on April 5, 1931, in Riderwood, Maryland, he grew up on a farm and was drawn to country music through radio and records. His family had prospered in the tobacco trade during the 19th century.
Clifton began singing and playing guitar at 12. His schooling took him to private schools in New England and Florida before he enrolled at the University of Virginia in 1949. There, fellow students Paul Clayton and Dave Sadler broadened his interest from country music to folk, and the three formed the Dixie Mountain Boys. While still in college, the group played professionally at small radio stations in central Virginia. Clifton’s active years as a musician, guitarist, singer and songwriter spanned 1952 to 2026. His work included bluegrass and folk, and he played guitar and autoharp. He is credited with organizing one of the first bluegrass festivals in the United States, in 1961, bringing the genre to a dedicated public gathering. Clifton died in Mendota, Virginia.