Clifford E. Darwin Jr.

Clifford "Butch" Edward Darwin Jr., 86, of Aledo, IL, passed away on February 16th, 2025, surrounded by family. Clifford was born December 20th, 1938, in Moline, IL, the son of Clifford Edward Darwin Sr. and Phyllis Evelyn Birrell Darwin. He grew up in Big Island and attended schools on Big Island and in Rock Island.

After graduating from Rock Island High School in 1956, Clifford worked at the quarry. He entered the Navy on Jan. 23, 1957, and served until honorably discharged on Jan. 20, 1961. He was stationed in Pensacola, FL, serving on the USS Antietam as a boilerman technician and achieved the rank of BT2.

While in the Navy, Clifford married Juanita Obrien on March 25, 1960, in Algiers, LA. They later divorced in 1964. Clifford married Mary Cook on December 28, 1964, in Rock Island, IL. They later divorced in 1977. While married, he adopted her two children, Elizabeth and Mark, whom he loved and was proud to call his children. Clifford married Vicki Sue Bird on February 22nd, 1986, in Seaton, IL. They were married for nearly 39 years and had two children, Michael and James. He was very proud of his sons and loved them very much.

Clifford worked as a truck driver for most of his life, working for numerous companies before he retired in 2005 from Con-Way Central Express. He took pride in his ability as a driver and made many friends on the road. He loved to make jokes, was a master at twisting words, enjoyed playing pranks, and loved dressing up in costumes for parties. He always wanted to be the center of attention and to make people laugh.

Clifford is survived by his wife Vicki; children Mark (Debbie), Elizabeth, Michael (Chelsea), and James (Kent); grandchildren Aaron, Eric, Isabelle, and Evelyn; great-grandchildren Maddie, Bryer, Alexis, Liam, and Chloe; his brother Ron, and his sister Janet (Roger) Kirkpatrick.

Clifford was preceded in death by his father and mother: paternal grand-parents Elbert and Ruth Mallory Darwin; maternal grand-parents Howard and Jesse Sopher Birrell; brother Bert: nephew Ron Darwin Jr.; brother-in-law Ronald Widermuth, sister-in-law Sandra Darwin; mother-in-law Barbara Bird: and his brother’s companion Shelley Howard.

Per his last wishes, there will not be a visitation or funeral. He swore he would haunt us if we did!