William "Bill" Conway Cleland's Obituary
In Loving Memory of William “Bill” Conway Cleland (1960-2024)
Bill was born in Ft. Leavenworth, KS on November 7, 1960, to John and Clara Cleland.
He passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024, in Mandeville, LA, with his children and fiancée by his side.
Bill is survived by his children, Will and Carolina from his prior marriage to Mary Beth, his daughter-in-law, Isabel, and his grandchild, Elizabeth. He is also survived by his fiancée, Terri Mayer, his siblings and their spouses, Bruce (Rebecca), Robin (Joe), Gary (Michelle), and Jack (Mary), nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Clara.
As the youngest of five siblings in a military family, Bill's early years were marked by global travels that nurtured his lifelong passion for history, culture, and languages. As a child, he lived in the US, Thailand, and Germany. This wanderlust continued into adulthood, leading him to reside in ten American cities, Chile, and Mexico.
A gifted athlete, Bill excelled in soccer, football, and baseball. His love for soccer endured through college, where he played for both George Mason and Pfeiffer University. Later in life, he shared his passion for soccer with his son.
Bill’s career was remarkable. After graduating from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, he worked as an undercover operative for the CIA in Chile and Mexico where he gathered intelligence crucial to national interests. He was proud to serve his country, following in the footsteps of his brothers, parents, and many other family members before him. Bill later transitioned to the business world, where he held leadership roles at Circuit City, Office Max, Waldo’s, Bank of America, and AAA before founding his own company, Clean World. In the final chapter of his career, Bill was a high school English teacher at a Title I school. Having attended many low-achieving public schools as a child, he fully embraced this opportunity to give back. He retired just nine months before his passing.
In addition to his professional achievements, Bill was an Advisory Board Member at the SHERO Foundation, a non-profit helping support victims of sex trafficking. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bill may be made to SHERO.
His children remember him for his sense of humor, storytelling, and the joy he received from spending time with his family. He enjoyed regaling his children with tales from his
childhood, adventures abroad, or historical trivia. Bill also had a passion for sharing his favorite music, books, and movies with his children. He instilled in his children a strong work ethic and moral compass, making countless sacrifices to provide for his family.
Bill's siblings remember him as the strongest, fiercest, and funniest in a family of five children. "Impossible" was not in his vocabulary. As a young kid, though his siblings were much (4 to 8 years) older, Bill went all-out to keep up with them, and usually did so, in sports and otherwise. He feared nobody and nothing, resulting in him winning fights with older, bigger bullies; getting bitten by a green pit viper; and taking many trips to the ER with a wide variety of sports and other injuries. Bill's siblings will sorely miss his sense of humor and fun. He had a quick, dry wit, which he combined with great storytelling and impersonation abilities, to bring laughter and joy to every gathering.
His fiancée, Terri, will best remember him for his immense love and the many adventures and travel they shared together, here and abroad. Even though Bill lived in Mandeville for a short while, he embraced the culture of the area and loved the time he spent there with Terri and her family and friends.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
The date of his service is to be determined. Please reach out to his family if you would like to attend.
The Cleland family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of William "Bill"?
What’s a lesson you learned from William "Bill"?
Share a story where William "Bill"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William "Bill" you’ll never forget.
How did William "Bill" make you smile?