William Clifford Burke, best known as Clifford, died peacefully at his home in San Jose, New Mexico, on June 30. It was the night of the full Strawberry moon which illuminated his passing. Clifford was born September 13, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. 

He had a long and productive career as an author, poet, printer, book designer and artist. He ran his own fine press, Cranium Press, in San Francisco, before moving to Washington state. He was an environmental activist in the northwest, organizing and writing on behalf of local communities. He moved to New Mexico in 1990 where he and his wife, Virginia, began a small fine press called Desert Rose Press. They published cards, books and broadsides with a focus on advocating a sustainable future for people and the planet. The website is DesertRosePress.com remains active. 

Clifford was also a musician and adept at the baritone saxophone. He improvised, composed and recorded his compositions which he put on CD’s to send to friends and family. He had a distinctive and melodic voice so poetry readings, in the northwest and New Mexico, were particularly engaging. People just liked listening to him, whether it was a conversation on the phone or in person. In the recent turbulent political climate he regularly wrote short poems about the threats to our democracy and the corrupt administration which he printed on postcards and sent to his mailing list. These poems were insightful, inspiring and comforting. He assembled small books of his poetry which he mailed out on a regular basis. He was prolific to put it mildly and he was creative with music and poetry until the very end. 

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Mudd, his two daughters, Clea Burke and Margaret Burke, and his grandson, Ian Greiner.

Cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Avenue, Las Vegas, NM 87701, 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.

Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.