Clifton "Cliff" Peters

It is with great sadness that the family of Clifton Leroy Peters III announces his passing on Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Bluffton, South Carolina. Clifton, known to his friends and family as “Cliff” or “Cookie”, was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Born on June 24, 1944, in Binghamton, New York, Cliff was the second oldest son of Clifton Leroy Peters Jr. and Evelyn Vosberg Peters. Cliff grew up in Vestal, New York with his 4 brothers. He was a proud graduate of Vestal High School in 1962 where he lettered in football and wrestling. Cliff graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned his Master of Education degree at Duke University.

Cliff spent his first 15 years of professional life as an Elementary School Teacher in New York and Maryland before going back to Law School to earn his Juris Doctor Degree from Western State University College of Law in 1986. He spent the last 35 years of his professional life dedicated to the Law and representing clients as a criminal defense attorney in southern California. Cliff opened the Law Offices of Clifton L. Peters III and argued thousands of cases at all levels including several death penalty cases, logging multiple appearances before the California State Supreme Court.

Cliff’s favorite things were his children and grandchildren, the law, and sporting events. Cliff was a loving and supportive father, always encouraging his children to pursue their passions and never forgetting to sing them happy birthday each year. Cliff coached youth baseball and football over the years. Friends and family will remember Cliff for his smile and laugh, his often sarcastic humor and whit, and for his passionate support of the alma maters of his 2 children – Penn State and Clemson. Every judge, attorney, clerk, and courthouse staff person in San Bernardino County’s Courthouses knew of his support of Penn State and Clemson.

Cliff closed the Law Offices of Clifton L. Peters III in 2021 and retired to Bluffton, South Carolina to be closer to his children, grandchildren and girlfriend Leola Vaughnmakona and her family. He always found peace and relaxation looking at the ocean whether it was the Pacific Ocean from San Diego, California or the Atlantic Ocean in Bluffton, South Carolina. Cliff loved watching his favorite sports teams the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Orioles, Penn State Nittany Lions and Clemson Tigers. Cliff served as an altar boy at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Vestal during his youth, and he remained faithful throughout his entire life, always making the sign of the cross whenever he passed a Catholic Church.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents Clifton L. Peters II and Evelyn Peters, and by brothers James and Timothy Peters, sister-in-laws Edna and Cathy Peters, niece Rachel Lynn Peters, nephew Mark Timothy, and girlfriend Leola Vaughnmakona.

Cliff is survived by his children Jenifer R. Richardson (Chuck) and Christopher M. Peters (Jennifer), grandchildren Hudson, Mary Chandler, Preston and Barnes, and brothers Daniel Peters (Ingrid) and Todd Peters.

As an example of God’s grace, Cliff’s final resting place will be a section of Vestal Park Cemetery that was once the large open field that served as a football and baseball field for Cliff and his 4 brothers when they children.

Cliff’s quote from his Vestal High School senior yearbook sums up his approach to his life, “Man is born for better things”.

A Funeral Mass for Cliff will be held on Wednesday, April 9th at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 801 Main Street, Vestal. Burial will be in Vestal Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until Mass time at 10:30 am.