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William August Marburg, the musician and traditional-music advocate known professionally as Bill Clifton, died Oct. 30, 2026, at age 95, according to his obituary from Farris Funeral Service. His work included a widely used folk and gospel songbook, an early bluegrass festival in Virginia and performances that introduced the music to audiences in Europe and elsewhere.
William August Marburg, the musician, collector and bluegrass advocate known to listeners as Bill Clifton, died on Oct. 30, 2026, at age 95, according to his obituary published by Farris Funeral Service. Clifton spent decades performing and promoting traditional American music, including bluegrass and old-time songs, in the United States and overseas.
Clifton was born on April 5, 1931, in Riderwood, Maryland, and grew up on a farm outside Baltimore. The obituary says he became interested in country and old-time music through radio broadcasts and 78-rpm records, then began singing and playing guitar. While studying at the University of Virginia, he helped form the Dixie Mountain Boys with Paul Clayton, Dave Sadler and Johnny Clark; Mike Seeger was also part of the group for a time.
After graduating in 1954, Clifton served in the U.S. Marine Corps. During that period he compiled Bill Clifton 150 Old-Time Folk and Gospel Songs, a songbook introduced with a foreword by A. P. Carter and published with support from Noah Adams of Blue Ridge Records. The obituary describes the collection as a valued resource for bluegrass musicians and notes its place in the preservation work recognized by Clifton’s later Hall of Fame induction.
In 1961, Clifton organized a bluegrass festival at Oak Leaf Park in Luray, Virginia. Farris Funeral Service describes it as one of the first bluegrass festivals in the United States. Clifton also contributed organizational and promotional work to the Newport Folk Festival in its early years. In 1963, he moved with his family to England and introduced bluegrass and old-time music in Europe. He later continued sharing the music while serving with the Peace Corps in the Philippines.
How Clifton Carried Bluegrass Abroad
Clifton’s career connected song preservation, live performance and international promotion. His work helped bring traditional American music to audiences beyond the communities where many of its songs and musicians originated. The obituary emphasizes that he saw himself as a representative of artists who had fewer chances to travel and reach listeners elsewhere.
His legacy also reflects the role of organizers and collectors in sustaining a musical tradition: compiling songs for others to learn, creating venues for performers and introducing audiences to music they might not otherwise encounter. His death marks the loss of a musician whose work extended beyond recording and performance to building opportunities for traditional music to be heard.
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From Virginia Festivals to Europe
Clifton’s early musical life coincided with the growth of interest in traditional music and the emerging folk revival. The obituary says he drew inspiration from A. P. Carter, whose collecting work in Appalachia sought to preserve songs that might otherwise have been lost. Clifton later described Carter’s purpose as keeping the music alive, a goal he pursued through his own collecting, publishing and performances.
The obituary records Clifton’s induction into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2008. It attributes the recognition to a lifetime of preserving, performing and advancing traditional American music. The source also recounts his family life: he had ten children and was married to Sarah-Lee during the formative years of his career and later to Tineke, whom he described as the love of his life. Tineke died before him.
“A. P. Carter loved the music, and he wanted to make sure that the music lived on.”
— Bill Clifton, as quoted in the Farris Funeral Service obituary
Memorial Plans and Missing Details
The obituary says the family will hold a private memorial service, but it does not provide a date or location. It also does not state a cause of death. Farris Funeral Service’s account is the source for the biographical and career details in this report; no additional statements from other organizations or family members are included in the supplied material.
The obituary lists Clifton’s surviving sister, Ann Hoffman, his ten children, 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. It says he was predeceased by his wife Tineke, three sisters and three grandchildren. No further information about arrangements or public tributes is provided.
Private Service and Memorial Giving
In accordance with Clifton’s wishes, the family plans a private memorial service. The obituary invites people wishing to honor him to support the Carter Family Memorial Music Center, through its donation page or by sending a check to P.O. Box 111, Hiltons, Virginia 24258.
The family’s notice also offers a personal tribute: listen to an old song, learn it by heart and pass it on. Farris Funeral Service & Crematory in Abingdon, Virginia, is caring for the family. The obituary does not announce any public service or additional event.
Key Questions
Who was William August Marburg?
William August Marburg was a musician and traditional-music advocate known professionally as Bill Clifton. His work included performing, collecting and publishing songs, organizing a bluegrass festival, and introducing bluegrass and old-time music to audiences abroad.
When did Bill Clifton die, and how old was he?
According to his obituary from Farris Funeral Service, Clifton died on Oct. 30, 2026, at age 95.
What was Clifton’s connection to bluegrass festivals?
He organized a bluegrass festival at Oak Leaf Park in Luray, Virginia, in 1961. The obituary describes it as one of the first bluegrass festivals in the United States. He also helped with organizational and promotional work at the Newport Folk Festival during its formative years.
Will there be a public memorial service?
The obituary says a private family memorial service will be held in keeping with Clifton’s wishes. It does not list a date or location for the service.
How can people honor Bill Clifton?
The family suggests supporting the Carter Family Memorial Music Center or listening to an old song, learning it by heart and passing it on. Donation details are provided by the center at carterfamilyfold.org/donate.
Source: farrisfuneralservice.com
