Clarence Burton graduated from Piedmont Business College in Lynchburg, Virginia, and established a career in the hosiery manufacturing industry, rising to the position of president. He also engaged in cattle raising and banking, and served on the Lynchburg School Board and City Council, including a tenure as mayor. Burton's leadership extended to roles such as chairman of Lynchburg Hosiery Mills, Inc., and director and chairman of American Federal Savings and Loan Association, showcasing his expertise in financial regulation and local governance.

Clarence Burton's political identity is marked by a deep-rooted commitment to local economic interests, particularly in the hosiery manufacturing sector. His career trajectory from business leadership to local governance reflects a highly localized approach to policymaking. Burton's involvement in banking and financial regulation, alongside his advocacy for local economic development, reveals a calculated strategy to intertwine regional industrial interests with broader financial policies. This convergence of roles suggests an ideological agility that balances sector-specific advocacy with broader economic oversight.