"sympathy to the whole family...he will be missed."
In loving memory of
William J. ''Bill'' Cleary
May 5, 1920 - December 17, 2001
William J. Bill Cleary, 81, of 222 S. Fifth Street, Marquette, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2001 at Marquette General Hospital with his loving family at his side.
Mr. Cleary was born on May 5, 1920 in Marquette to the late Charles and Cora (Barshaw) Cleary and was a lifelong area resident.
Bill attended Military Training Academy at Fort Brady in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and the Harthumb Aviation School in Detroit, Michigan. He was a 1941 graduate of Graveraet High School.
Bill was a World War II veteran. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 13, 1942 in Traverse City, Michigan. He served with the 325th 2nd Signal Service in the European Theater, the battles and campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the EAME Theater Ribbon with five bronze Stars, American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal.
After discharge from the military, Bill worked as branch manager for the Milwaukee Journal in Marquette. He began his career as a car salesman in 1949, working for Frei Chevrolet for 31 years, retiring in 1980. He was honored as a member of the Chevrolet Legion of Leaders due to his record salesmanship.
Bill was an avid reader of world history and his Irish ancestry. He was a sportsman and dedicated Green Bay Packers and Red Wing Hockey fan. He was keenly interested in aviation having acquired a pilots license.
Mr. Cleary was a lifelong member of St. Peter Cathedral, was devoted to Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and was a member of American Legion Post #44.
He married the former Ruth Evelyn Ranta on November 7, 1949, celebrating 52 years of marriage.
A devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Ruth and their five children, William J. (Teresita) Cleary, Jr. and Robert Cleary, both of Marquette, Constance (Tim) Sawyer of Sault Ste. Marie, Paulette (Paul) Yelle of Sands and Kathleen (John) Papciak of Gwinn; one sister, Joyce Chiri of Negaunee; also nine grandchildren, Daniel and James Sawyer, Paul W., Pollyanna and Benjamin Yelle, William J. Cleary III, Jennifer and Charles Cleary and John W. Papciak; one great grandson, Andrew Rudack; also several nieces, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Mr. Cleary was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son at birth; two brothers, Fred and Edward Cleary and a sister, Corrine Cleary LaBlue.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Peter Cathedral on Thursday at 12 noon with the Rev. Msgr. Louis C. Cappo officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends in the Bishops Room of the Cathedral on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass.
Memorial considerations in Bills memory may be directed to the St. Peter Cathedral Building Fund or the Marquette County Humane Society.
Tributes
"Bill will be saddly missed."
"Our deepest sympathy to my sister, Ruth, and to her childen and their families in the loss of our dear Bill. His memory will be forever with us all. We love you."
"Though I've been away from Marquette for 17 years, I still remember some very good times with Bill at Frei Chevrolet. He truely was one of the few people that had many friends that he sold cars to. His gentle, kind manner is something that I don't get to see in the car business today. He was a very good influence to me when it came to exploring my interest in the car business. I left Frei too and went back to college. But I didn't leave the car business. I have now been with GM for 17 years and I will always remember Bill with only good thoughts about how he was in this business. He was always proud of his family and especially his wife Ruth. To Ruth, bless you for all your wonderful years with this nice man. My wife Cathryn found you to be one of the genuine people at the Chevy gatherings. Of course it didn't hurt that you could both talk nursing. To Paulette, we never seemed to know that much about our classmates parents but all I can say is that you and your siblings had it special. How neat that Bill took to flying, I never knew that about him! I send my sincere simpathy and may God Bless! -Steve Clark"
"Sincere and Honest,Kind & Gentle,Understanding & Funny, Loving & Caring. I'll never forget you Dadderds or the wonderful human being you were, nor will I let others. You were and will always be "My Hero" I LOVE YOU. In Christ, Your Daughter Kathy (Pugy)"
"LOTS OF GREAT MEMORIES OF BILL WHEN WORKING AT FREI CHEV '59-- '69, AND MEETING HIM MANY TIMES IN THE MQT. AREA OVER THE YEARS.ONE OF THE VERY NICESEST GENTELMEN YOU COULD EVER KNOW!! HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM! DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY!"
"Our deepest sympathy to Aunt Ruth and the entire family. Many great memories of Uncle Bill will be cherished forever. He will be sadly missed."
"Aunt Ruth we were so sorry to hear about Uncle Bill. Im so glad Carolann and I had a chance to see the two of you in October. I will keep you in my prayers. Love Maryhelen"