William Grovenor Cleaves
CLEAVES, William Grovenor, 74, PRESQUE ISLE, September 27, 2013. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE – William Grovenor Cleaves, 74, peacefully went to be with the Lord with his loving family by his side on September 27, 2013. Bill was born on March 16, 1939, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Phyllis (Holmes) Cleaves.
Bill attended Presque Isle High School and graduated in 1957. Bill was a member of the Future Farmers and spent many hours working on his grandfather William Holmes’ farm. Many of Bill’s favorite memories include his grandfather Holmes and the time they spent together on the farm. Bill took his background of “being down on the farm” into his life’s work with the State of Maine, as he was a Supervisor with the Department of Conservation Bureau of Parks and Land for 37 years. Bill was very proud of his career serving the people of the great state of Maine. Bill retired in 1995, enjoying many great years of retirement. During this time, Bill took pride in helping others, volunteering for the St. John Aroostook RC&D, as well as the Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District for over 20 years. Bill was also a member of the Aroostook Shrine Club, as well as the Masonic Trinity Lodge No. 130. Bill was an active member of the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church and enjoyed going to church regularly.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Judy of Presque Isle and their respective children: daughter, Julie Brown and her husband, Paul of Winslow and their children, Logan, Ben and Molly Feeney; sons, Michael Cleaves of St. Petersburg, FL, William, Jr. Cleaves of Liberty and his children, Carly, Dylan and Alex, Mark Cleaves and his wife, Diane of Hampden and their children, Jacob, Megan and Max, Gene Cronin andhis wife, Brandy of Presque Isle and their children, Mallory and McKinley, daughters, Kristen Clark and her husband, Grant of Mapleton, a special daughter, and son-in-law, Laura Hunter and her husband, Daren of Presque Isle; two great-grandchildren, Grady and Landon Feeney; and several nieces and nephews. Bill is also survived by eight siblings; a special brother, Duane and his wife, Gail of Brooksville, FL; and Alan and his wife Patty of Presque Isle; a special sister, Lillian and her friend, Farmer of Presque Isle, Lillias of Old Orchard Beach, Marlene and her friend, Cathy of Brooksville, FL, Dianna and her husband, Bruce of Weld, ME, Mary and her friend, Annie of Durham, CT, and Sherry of W. Palm, FL.
The family would like to thank Dr. Carl Flynn and the staff at The Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center for taking such wonderful care of Bill. They would also like to thank the many faithful volunteers and care givers especially two very special ones, Karen Hammond and Willard Green.
Memorial services were held at 3:30 p.m., Monday, September 30, 2013, at Duncan Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church Street, Presque Isle. Donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Alzheimer Association Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C Scarborough, ME 04074, or the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging’s Gathering Place, 1 Edgemont Drive, Presque Isle, ME 04769 or the Aroostook House of Comfort, PO Box 867, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
