Clifford William Smith

Clifford William Smith, 81, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Carteret Health Care.

A graveside service to honor Cliff’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, January 23rd at Greenwood Cemetery in Morehead City, officiated by Rev. John B. Thompson II. The family will receive friends the evening prior from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, January 22nd at Munden Funeral Home. Family and friends are welcome to join the family at Cox’s Restaurant following the graveside service.

Clifford was born on March 24, 1944, in Morehead City, North Carolina. As a teenager, he worked after school at the local newspaper. He was later drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Bragg for two years during the 1960s. Cliff went on to serve in the Vietnam War, where he drove a lead truck for his platoon.

Following his military service, Cliff worked for several years at Thurston Trucking Company. He later devoted more than 31½ years to Civil Service at Cherry Point as a metal inspector, where he was known for his reliability, dedication, and strong work ethic.

Cliff loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed the Beaufort waterfront. Living on the coast brought him great happiness, and fishing was his favorite pastime. He had many fond memories of fishing with his brothers, Kenny and Tommie and nephews, Captain Terrell Gould and Danny Weidner. He also enjoyed spending time at the Senior Citizen Center, where he played pool and shared many pleasant hours playing Bingo with his girlfriend, Becky.

Holidays with family were especially meaningful to Cliff, with Easter being his favorite—particularly when his sister Cindy prepared his favorite meal of baked ham. He also appreciated dining at Cox’s Restaurant and Venice Italian Restaurant with Becky.

Cliff was blessed with numerous friends that he made over the years through his workplace and the mobile home park where he lived. He was a quiet, unassuming man with a dry sense of humor and a compassionate heart. He had love for all, especially his family.

Cliff was devoted and loving husband and a caring brother, he always valued family above all else. He was self-sacrificing, kind, giving, and dependable. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his sisters. The family takes comfort in knowing he has been welcomed home by his Savior and reunited with loved ones who went before him. The memory of his twinkling eyes and sweet smile will remain forever.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his sisters, Thelma Barselow and Cindy Gould, both of Morehead City, NC; brothers, Tommie L. Vinston Jr. of Havelock, NC and Durwood Vinston (Gretta) of Morehead City, NC; nephews, Terrell Gould III, Todd Barselow, David Conway, Buddy Conway, Zachary Vinston, Kenny Vinston Jr. Wayne Dodson, and Danny Weidner (Lisa); nieces, Sara Gould Dodson, Bailey Mae Dodson, Mandy Barselow, Tabitha Conway, Sheila Bunn Brown; step-daughter, Amy Tacco (Donald); and girlfriend, Becky Lyles.

Cliff was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Frances Smith; his second wife, Deanna Jensen Smith; parents, Tommie L. Vinston Sr. and Hilda Vinston; grandparents, Joseph William Smith and Mariah Smith; brother, Kenny Vinston Sr.; sisters, Polly Conway and Janet Vinston Cook; sister-in-law, Nancy Weidner; and brother-in-law, Roscoe Conway.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cliff’s memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.