Biography of William J. Clanton, St Francis County, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Paul V Isbell Date: 19 Nov 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** William J. Clanton, owner of the new Broadway Drug Store, opened Feb. 14, 1949, with co-owner Henry C. Gray, both are registered pharmacists, Mr. Gray since 1920, and Mr. Clanton since 1930. Mr. Clanton came to Forrest City in 1935 from Jonesboro, and bought the store. He sold a half interest in 1946 to Mr. Gray. Mr. Clanton was born in Wilmar, Ark. on Dec. 22, 1907, son of Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Clanton. A graduate of Monticello A & M School, he received his professional training at the Jonesboro College of Pharmacy, finishing in 1930. During World War II, he served in the Army Medical Corps. On Aug. 30, 1940 he married Miss Edith Benson, daughter of the late Robert and Lucile (Dye) Benson of Forrest City. She is a descendant of Mark W. Izard, one of the most prominent early Forrest Citians. Mr. Clanton is a member of the First Methodist Church, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Pharmaceutical Association, St. Francis County Farm Bureau, King-Beazley American Legion Post and is a thirty second degree Mason. He has farming interests in the county and deals in real estate. SOURCE: HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher -Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas