William J. Cleaver, 71, of 1108 N. Martin St., Effingham, Illinois and formerly of Felts Mills, NY passed January 3, 2015 at his home. The funeral service will be held 3p.m Sunday, January 10th at the Bruce Funeral Home, Black River.  Burial will follow in the Felts Mills Cemetery. Calling hours will be 1 to 3p.m Sunday prior to the funeral at the funeral home. Born on January 20, 1944 in Watertown, NY, son of William R. and Frances Lorello Cleaver, he graduated from Watertown High School in 1962. He entered the Army in March of 1964 and served during Vietnam.  He received the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged in March of 1966. After returning home, William graduated from Jefferson Community College in 1968, with an Associate's Degree in Accounting. He married Gayle E. Martin, of Black River, on June 15, 1968 at the St. Paul's Catholic Church.  The couple attended Murray State University in Kentucky, where William graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Following his graduation the couple returned to Felts Mills, for nine years, where he worked for Kraft Foods in Lowville as an Accounting Clerk.  He also worked at Seaway Disposal, now known as Waste Management, where he was an office manager and Hall Ski Lift as a purchasing agent. Gayle worked for Key Bank holding several different positions from 1971 to 1980. In 1980 the couple moved to Reynoldsville, PA for six years, where William worked for Rockwell International as a purchasing agent.  In 1986 they moved to Effingham, Illinois.  William became an International Purchasing Agent for Fedder's North America and later retired from North America Lighting where he was an Engineer Manager.  Gayle worked as a travel agent for Renaissance Travel. William was affiliated with the Boy Scouts and Little League in Felts Mills from 1971 to 1980.  He was a former volunteer Fireman and Fire Chief from 1978 to 1980 for the Felts Mills Fire Department and former member of the Felts Mills American Legion. While living in Effingham, Illinois he was a member of the American Legion and Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree. Among his survivors are a son, Russell W. Cleaver, Oklahoma City, OK; a daughter, Keri-Lyn E. Cleaver, Nashville, TN; three brothers and two sisters in law, Anthony Cleaver, Robert and Jan Cleaver and Maurice and Sarah Cleaver all of Watertown; a grandson Rusty Cleaver Jr.; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents his wife, Gayle E. Cleaver died August 13, 2003. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.brucefh.com