Wayne N. Clinton, 90, was born August 28, 1930 in Hastings, MI and graduated from the Hastings High School in 1948. Wayne married his first wife (Joan Wilson) in 1957 and had two daughters, Marilyn Boland, and Cynthia Clinton. In 1985 he married Judith Merrill Clinton, who had a daughter Kelly Flores-New and a son Patrick Merrill.
Wayne and Judy enjoyed retirement with many travels around Europe and the U.S. while living at Sugar Springs, MI and Ocala, Fl. Wayne’s prime activity in retirement was golf, with a ‘Hole in one’ for added excitement, and visits with family and friends.
Wayne served in the USMC from 1951-1954, including time at the Injim River in Korea from ’52-’53. He was a Michigan State Police Trooper from 1954-1966 and was 1 of 4 to have served on Gov. G. Mennen “”Soapy” William’s security detail from ’57 to ’59. He worked with the Michigan Crime Lab from ’66-’79 as a latent print specialist. He was 1 of 8 original detectives at the first forensic lab. In July of 2020, Wayne, wife Judy, daughter Kelly and grandson Patrick enjoyed a personal tour of the new forensic lab, amazed at the progress from the early days when all prints were visually identified. Wayne served as a court officer in the Michigan Supreme Court from 1979-1992, after which he retired.
Survivors include granddaughter Sydney Elizabeth (Zoan) Tomei Flores New and grandson, Patrick J. Warnars, sister in law Suzi (Tom) Bush, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mr. Clinton will be laid to rest at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.
Arrangements are being handled by Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470.