It is with great sadness we announce the passing of William Andrew Clifton, known to most as Big Andy. The 70-year-old beloved resident of Savannah, Tennessee, passed away on March 29, 2026, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. Born on April 18, 1955, in Ellenville, New York, to Rose (Green) and Morris Heit, Andy lived a life shaped by grit, independence, and a deep appreciation for the simple things.
He was a true country soul—rough around the edges in the most endearing way—and never one to put on airs. His peaceful passing at the hospital has left a profound void for his family and the Savannah community, where his unmistakable personality and strong will were cherished by those who knew him best.
Andy lived life the way he wanted, with a strong will and a free spirit that those who knew him came to understand and appreciate. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and was often found engaging in the everyday activities that brought him joy and connected him to the people around him.
His straightforward nature and unapologetic authenticity made him a memorable figure in Savannah, where he built a life rooted in honesty and a genuine appreciation for the world as he saw it. Friends and neighbors remember him as someone who lived fully on his own terms, leaving behind stories that capture the essence of a man who valued sincerity above all else.
Andy is survived by his son Thomas Andrew Ervin, his daughter Laura Naomi Clifton, and his grandchildren Perry Ervin, Cleveland Ervin, Tucker Ervin, Kylie Dailey, Alexis Dailey, and Ashton Dailey. He also leaves behind extended family and friends who will remember his unmistakable personality, his stories, and the way he lived life with a spirit all his own.
His family holds close the memories of a man who was strong-willed yet deeply caring, someone whose presence brought a unique energy to every gathering and whose love for the simple things in life left a lasting impression on those closest to him.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 2, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 2:30 p.m. and continuing until service time. This gathering offers family and friends a meaningful space to come together, share stories of Andy’s larger-than-life character, and begin healing while honoring the man who meant so much to so many in Savannah and beyond.
As loved ones and the Savannah community navigate this tender grief, they draw strength from the example Andy set of living with independence, honesty, and a deep appreciation for family and the simple joys around him. The outpouring of shared memories from those who knew him best reflects how deeply his spirit touched the lives of family and friends alike.
Though no specific cause of death has been publicly detailed beyond his passing at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, the focus remains on celebrating the full and spirited life he lived in his 70 years and the enduring legacy of his strong-willed, free-spirited nature.
William Andrew Clifton, known affectionately as Big Andy, will be remembered as a true country soul whose grit, independence, and genuine warmth left a lasting mark on everyone who crossed his path. His life, marked by a strong will and a free spirit, continues to inspire those he leaves behind to live authentically and cherish the simple things. The love and stories he shared endure in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends, offering comfort and a gentle reminder of the unique light he brought to the world during his time with them.
