Farewell, Daniel Clinger

Daniel Clinger, 92 – Billie’s best friend, supporter and companion for 63 years - stepped into eternity surrounded by his beloved family at the couple’s Bloomington home on the beautiful summer morning of July 11, 2012. 

Dan, the eldest of 11 is remembered by his four remaining siblings as a dutiful son and the adored big brother to a large family of four boys and six girls.  After returning from military service in the U.S. Army Air Forces at the close of WWII and serving in the Eastern Central States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Daniel married Billie Marie on June 20, 1929 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  They made their home together in San Fernando, California where they lived for 43 years and reared their family, now including 6 children, 33 grandchildren and 26 greats.  They moved to St. George in 1993.

With a personal motto of “family and church first, service above self and excellence in all I do,” Dan earned a degree in mechanical engineering from UCLA.  He spent his working years as a design engineer and scientist for McDonnell Douglas and the Atomics International Division of North American Rockwell In his lengthy career in the aerospace and nuclear industry , he was involved in the design and testing of components for commercial aircraft and nuclear reactor systems for space applications and commercial power plants.   He also developed many talents, including mechanics, project design, welding; cutting, grinding and polishing semi-precious stones and design and fabrication of silver jewelry.  This tall, handsome gentleman, who considered himself an artist at heart, spent his leisure time in several hobbies such as genealogy, gardening, lapidary, silver smithing and oil painting.  His Church service has also been lengthy and varied.  Baptized in 1928, he served as a bishop’s counselor, twice as a bishop, patriarch, high priest group leader, assistant ward clerk and "even on a high council or two!”  His favorite assignment, however, was always that of teacher, which service he believed “assists in saving souls and refreshing my own knowledge of the scriptures and of Church doctrine.”

Brother Dan Clinger’s gentle good nature and service to Billie, his neighbors, friends and the church will always be remembered as the outward demonstration of his heartfelt love of his wife and family and his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ!  Brother Dan will long be missed as a member of the Bloomington 7^th Ward.