President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton gathered with their families and friends Friday for a funeral in a downtown church for Hugh Rodham, the first lady's father.
The 82-year-old retired drapery maker died Wednesday after suffering a stroke March 19. Hillary Clinton had kept a 16-day viggil at his bedside.The service was being held in the First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock. A second service was planned for Saturday at Court Street Uniteh methodist Church in Scranton, Pa., Rodham's hometown, followed by burial in the family plot.
The Clintons brought their daughter, Chelsa, with them Thursday, as well as deputy White House counsel Vince Foster and White House personnel director Bruce Lindsey. Both are family friends as well as aides.
The Clintons spend about an hour at a funeral home for a private viewing Thursday before going to Rodhams' home for the night. hillary Clinton's two brothers, Hugh and Tony Rodham, were at the funeral home, as was Clinton family friend Harry Thomason.