Clifford Merle League
Clifford Merle League was born September 26, l922, on a farm in Benton, Kan. He was the son of Alonzo Bedford League and Alma Mae Sheppard League. He attended Union School in Benton and finished at Longton, Kan. He helped on the family farm as a young man before WWII. Cliff learned many of his life lessons on that farm and from his mother and father. He worked long and hard fro
m the time he was a youngster and always appreciated what he learned from each new challenge.
Cliff joined the Army on Nov. 15, l942, and served in Europe as Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in the spring of l946. The Army continued his education with many more life lessons and he told great stories of his experiences.
He married Pauline Louise Ellison on April 17, l948. That same year he joined Conoco at the Ponca City Refinery where he worked in a number of positions for 36 years before retiring in October 1984 as General Mechanical Supervisor. All his experiences from hard work, problem solving, and his knack for learning “how things work” came into play as he gave his best to his company and his fellow workers. In 1975, Cliff married Milly Ault and became instant Dad and Grandfather to her children and grandchild.
Clifford was a member of the First Baptist Church in the Disciples Class, the American Legion, the VFW, and the McDonald’s breakfast bunch. He loved all things mechanical and was a steam-engine enthusiast who had not missed the Pawnee Steam Show in the last 20 years. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, traveling, and lending a helping hand anywhere one was needed.
He most enjoyed time spent with his extensive family. Cliff was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his second wife, Mildred Strandtman Ault League; his children, Beverly Heldenbrand and her husband, Ron, of Katy, Texas, and Steven League and his wife, Debbie, of Greenville, Del.; Mildred’s children, Susan Ault Babbitt and her husband, Harold, of Collinsville, Okla., Robert “Bobby” Ault, III, of Nixa, Mo., Kathy Ault, of Gig Harbor, Wash., and Debbie Ault Benn of Mission, Texas; two sisters, Ruby Howard and Myrtle Latta; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 25 years, Pauline Ellison League; his two brothers, John and Harold League; sister, Monetta Olsen; and his parents, Lon and Alma League.
We will each have our own way of remembering Clifford League, with his slow smile, the twinkle in his eyes, his unwavering love, and the lasting impression he made on each of us. Whatever we remember about him, Cliff would want us reminded to “measure twice, cut once” and always follow the Golden Rule.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Mission Fund, 218 S. 6th, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church, 218 S. 6th, Ponca City, Okla., on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at 2 p.m.
Arrangements under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home
1302 W. Main, Collinsville, Okla., 74021 (918) 371-2111.
