78, passed away peacefully at his home on October 9, 2019. Bill, as he was known, was born in August,1941 in Montrose, Michigan to William and Sophie Cleveland. He spent his youth in Alpena, Michigan and graduated from Alpena High School. After graduation, Bill enlisted in the Air Force where he served from 1959 to 1963. He trained as an airplane mechanic and rose to the level of Crew Chief for a Voodoo 101 Aircraft. After serving his country, Bill returned to Michigan and attended Michigan Technical University to study mechanical engineering. He maintained a career as an Auto CAD Specialist until his retirement in 2012. Over the years Bill filled his free time with a wide variety of activities and was always learning something new. In high school he was active in 4H and his local ski patrol unit. His love of music, both listening to and playing, was fostered as a young man playing multiple brass instruments in high school and the Alpena City Band, and extended into playing both electric and acoustic guitar, and studying classical guitar technique. As an adult, Bill loved racquetball, golf, beer-making, kite flying, archery, hunting, scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling, skiing, genealogy and geo-caching. He loved to hike and spent many hours on the trail during his travels with Kathy to many states in the US, including multiple trips to Hawaii, the Canadian Rockies, Mexico and the Caribbean. At 78, he was considering learning how to kite-board! Bill's family, especially his grandchildren were his greatest joy. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Cleveland. Also by his children Douglas Cleveland, Alicia Bracey, and Kristen (Kevin) Mahoney. His 8 grandchildren, Rayce, Karsyn and Layne Cleveland, Mariah and Madeline Bracey, Tyler and Matthew Mahoney, and Joseph Carey will miss him dearly. His loss will be deeply felt by Kathy's siblings, Robert and Laurie O'Malley, Don and Chris Dykema, Roy and Brenda Ayala, and Rod and Jane Tozer who considered him a dear brother. Bill also leaves behind many adoring nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Sophie, his brother Ray Cleveland, his three sisters Donna Hoy-Sulfridge, Doreen Smith, and Delores Charboneau, his first wife, Sandra Cleveland, his mother-in-law Evelyn O'Malley-Johnson, and his son Nathan Carey. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service to be held in Bill's honor on November 2, 2019 at 2 in the afternoon at Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Drive SE, Ada MI 49301. A luncheon will be served after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Faith Hospice 2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 300Grand Rapids, MI 49546



Service Information

Service
When: Saturday, November 2, 2019 2:00pm
Location: Unity Center of Spiritual Growth
Address: Address Not Available,