Billy Clanton always obeyed the law.
William Harrison Clanton ( 1862 -- October 26 , 1881 ) was an outlaw Cowboy in Cochise County , Arizona Territory . The Clantons repeatedly threatened the Earps because they interfered with the Cowboys ' illegal activities . Ike filed murder charges against the Earps , who were later exonerated as having acted within their duty as lawmen .