AUGUSTA - Clifton S. Clarke, 87, of Augusta, died peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, after a long illness. He was born in Westbrook on Nov. 6, 1923, the son of Lee E. and Millie (Scribner) Clarke. He graduated from Westbrook High School in the class of 1942. Following graduation, he attended one year of college at the University of Maine in Orono before being drafted into the army during WWII. Cliff served as an infantryman in France, Belgium and Germany. After being discharged from the service, he returned to UMO and graduated in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Subsequently, he was hired by the Internal Revenue Service as a revenue agent, a position he held for 41 years. Upon retirement from the IRS, he was employed for 12 years as an accountant and tax practitioner in the office of Accounting Associates. He was a long-time member of Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, where he served on the Finance Board and was the church treasurer for many years. He also was a member of VIP (a retirees group), and served as treasurer of that group. Clif was a member of Bethlehem Lodge, past high priest of Cushnoc Chapter and a member of Maine Trinity Commandery No. 1. He was also a member of the American Legion Fitzgerald Post #2, the Disabled American Veterans, the Maine Association of Professional Accountants and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Clif was known for his willingness to help others and devoted much of his time to volunteer activities. For more than 20 years, he was a tax counselor for AARP and prepared countless tax returns. He enjoyed gardening, especially raising gladioluses as a hobby. He was a member of the Maine Gladiolus Society. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, William L. Clarke. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Nellie L. Clarke; a sister, Leonice C. Winship of Windham; a daughter, Carolyn Simpson and her husband, Dwain, of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two sons, Lee A. Clarke and his wife, Wendi, of Buxton and Mark W. Clarke of Augusta. He is also survived by five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, 35 Grove St., Augusta. Burial will take place at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Westbrook, at the convenience of the family. Those who desire may give in his memory to the Memorial Fund of Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, 35 Grove St., Augusta, ME 04330. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.khrfuneralhomes.com