William Paul Godby

William “Will” Paul Godby was born September 4, 1948, in Meridian, Texas, to Jerry and Berfa Nell Godby. He was raised in Clifton, Texas, where his lifelong love of movies and filmmaking began. After completing high school, he attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio, Television, and Film in 1972.

After graduating from UT, Will moved to Los Angeles and began his career in the professional film and television industry. He spent more than 35 years living and working in Los Angeles and New York, where he built a career as a film and television editor.

Although his career took him far from Texas, Will never lost his connection to Clifton and Bosque County. After his years in the entertainment industry, he returned to his hometown, where he continued to be actively involved in film, editing, and the arts.

Will served as a board member and Filmmaker-in-Residence for the Bosque Film Society, sharing his knowledge and experience with the community and helping promote an appreciation for film and filmmaking in Bosque County. His return to Clifton brought his life full circle, as the Cliftex Theatre that had helped inspire his love of movies as a young man became an important part of his later work in the local film community.

He also continued working in film and appeared in Bringing It Home, a Bosque County production. The film's first preview was held in Los Angeles in March 2025, bringing together his Texas roots and the Los Angeles film community that had been such an important part of his life.

Will was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Godby.

He is survived by his mother, Berfa Nell Godby; his brothers, Jerry Don Godby and his wife, Kaye Dietiker Godby, and Thomas Edward Godby and his wife, Debra Hayes Godby, all of Clifton; and two nieces and their families.

Will will be remembered for his creativity, curiosity, storytelling, love of film, and enduring connection to his hometown. He had the rare experience of turning a childhood fascination with movies into a lifelong career, traveling from Clifton to Austin, Los Angeles, and New York before ultimately returning home.

His life came full circle—from a young boy watching movies at the Cliftex Theatre to a professional filmmaker and editor who returned to Clifton and shared his knowledge and passion for film with his community.

He may have traveled far from Clifton, but Clifton was always home.

A memorial gathering will take place at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the American Legion Dining Hall, Cifton.