Willis Leon Cleaver, 79

Willis Leon Cleaver died peacefully of Alzheimer’s at his home in Poulsbo on May 14. He was 79.

He was born Aug. 11, 1928 and lived in Thayer, Kan., with his family and attended country school until the age of 8 before moving to Chanute, Kan.

Cleaver met his future bride Dorothy Barnhill in the ninth grade at country school. They both graduated from Chanute High School in the spring of 1947 and married on May 25, 1947.

Cleaver farmed, worked at the Texaco Cement Plant for the railroad in the Round House and was a warehouse stocker for Safeway.

Cleaver moved to Silverdale in 1958 and settled in Poulsbo in 1971.

In 1973 he formed Cleaver Construction and built numerous custom homes and commercial buildings in Kitsap County until he retired.

Cleaver enjoyed traveling to Kansas, road trips with his wife, snowmobiling and spending time with his family at their cabin in Eastern Washington.

Willis is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 61 years (who died exactly one month earlier); his parents, Clarence & Retta Cleaver; his brother Larry Cleaver; and his infant sister, Darlene.

Willis is survived by his four children, Ron (Reona) of Poulsbo, Eric (Jill) of Kingston, Paul (Susan) of Poulsbo, and Lisa (Justin) Piecuch of Poulsbo; 21 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

A memorial service and reception for Cleaver will take place at 11 a.m. on May 27 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Mesford Road, Poulsbo.