Early Education
Clifton McKelly Williams completed his education through the Moss Point School District, graduating from Moss Point High before attending Graceland College. The Moss Point School District is located near Escatawpa, as the town is too small to support its own district, and is located nearby Pascagoula.
College Education
After graduating from Moss Point High School, Williams attended Graceland College in Lamont, Iowa. He attended college for one year before enlisting in the Army Air Corps on September 4, 1942.
Pilot Training
After leaving Graceland College to join the military, Williams attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for a civilian education in piloting. His time at the University is not known, however, he was accepted into the Army Air Corps as a pilot and was sent to Moody Field, Georgia for a military pilot education. He was in training at Moody Field for the years of 1943-1944. There were a total of 347 other members in his class, and it was a garrison style unit. Because of the nature of the school, a formal military education, Williams was given the rank second lieutenant after graduation. The school has since been deactivated.