William Cleary

Born March 29th, 1929 in Cincinnati, OH. Bill’s parents , Catherine (nee Murphy) and William Thomas Cleary, preceded him in death. Bill’s beloved wife of 48 years Mary Ann (nee Granchi) Cleary passed on January 26, 2008 after a long illness. Surviving Bill’s death are his sons Kevin Sean (Cindy), Matthew Liam, Michael Padraic (Barbara) Cleary and daughter Kathleen (Kevin) Colosi along with his sister Mary Catherine Plogman of Kettering, OH and grandchildren Sean, Brendan, Liam (Gabrielle), Declan, James Cleary and Katelyn Colosi.

Bill spent over 45 years in the bicycle industry, known throughout as “Bicycle Bill.” He was very active during the early days of the bicycling craze representing Chicago Cycle, Schwinn, Raleigh (of England), and Motobecane (of France). He announced cycling events throughout the US and Canada, and his activities were mentioned in many publications both in the US and England. Moving to Wisconsin, he became a sworn police officer promoting bicycle safety for almost two decades and attained the rank of lieutenant.

In later years, Bill was a loving, full-time caregiver to his wife for many years before her passing, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Also, he was an enthusiastic volunteer at many venues including the Kalamazoo Air Zoo where he retired as a volunteer docent in 2009, TRAID of Ingham County, Meridian Riverwalk Patrol, Sparrow and McLaren Hospitals, Lansing Police Department, and RSVP both in Lansing and Kalamazoo. Bill was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, a charter member of Council 7816 3rd Degree and an active member of CERT. A devoted Catholic, Bill was an usher at St Thomas Aquinas Parish and St. Martha’s Parish.

Funeral services will be held Saturday April 2nd, 11 AM at St Martha’s Parish in Okemos. Visitation will take place at St. Martha’s Parish from 10 AM – 11 AM before the mass. A luncheon will be held after the mass where all of legal age will share a dram of Irish whiskey which Bill had saved for the occasion.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions in Bill’s memory to Muscular Dystrophy Association at https://mda.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=824&_ga=2.109892226.641354528.1648386158-958629887.1648386158