Jeff Dwire
| Jeff Dwire | |
|---|---|
| Born |
George Jefferson Dwire June 6, 1923 Bodcaw, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | August 1974 (aged 51) |
| Cause of death | Complications from diabetes |
| Known for | Second stepfather of Bill Clinton |
| Spouse(s) | Virginia Clinton Kelley (1969-1974, his death) |
| Children |
Bill Clinton (stepson) Roger Clinton, Jr. (stepson) |
| Relatives |
Hillary Clinton (stepdaughter-in-law) Chelsea Clinton (step-granddaughter) |
George Jefferson "Jeff" Dwire (June 6, 1923 – August, 1974) was an Arkansas small businessman and the third husband of Virginia Clinton Kelley, and a stepfather of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Roger Clinton, Jr..
He was born in Bodcaw, Arkansas. A veteran of World War II, Dwire was injured during a parachute jump and had later worked as a carpenter. He had worked his way through college as a hairdresser. Other occupations and avocations included playing football, teaching judo, building homes, and selling oil-well equipment and securities.
Dwire, who had three daughters from a previous marriage, met Kelley when she patronized the beauty salon he owned. They married on 3 January 1969 in Hope, Arkansas; the ceremony was performed by the Rev. John Miles, and Bill Clinton served as the best man. He also played and sang at the reception. Earlier, in August, Clinton had watched the Chicago Democratic convention on television with Dwire. Family and friends of the bride discouraged the union because Dwire was an ex-convict, having served nine months in prison in 1962 for stock fraud.
Hillary Clinton, then Hillary Rodham, described Dwire as a "supportive ally" in her attempts to forge a relationship with Bill Clinton's mother while Rodham was dating the future president. He also counseled Clinton concerning the draft, decisions involving which would become a major issue in his presidential campaign. Since Dwire and his new wife married later in life, the prospects of having children together were not favorable. At that time, Clarice Minner, their young babysitter and housekeeper, became pregnant with her second child. On October 12, 1969, with Virginia Dwire at her side as the anesthesiologist, she gave birth to a little girl. She named her daughter "Jeffrey" Lynn Smith as a sign of adoration to the couple.
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