Radcliffe was born on May 19, 1920, in Little Falls, Wisconsin.
During World War II, he served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Atherton.
Radcliffe died on August 19, 2001, and is buried in Unity, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.
Previously, he was Chairman of the Trempealeau County, Wisconsin Democratic Party from 1961 to 1962.
He remained a member of the Assembly until he resigned on January 19, 1971, to become the state's Highway Safety Coordinator.