William Cleland, Sr.

William "Bill" Paul Cleland, Sr., of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at Midland Hospice House. He was born on December 2, 1924 to Rufus Paul and Berchie Odell (Adams) Cleland in Madison, South Carolina. He was raised in Westminster, South Carolina and graduated from Westminster High School in 1942. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1944 and served during WWII in the Pacific Theater.

Bill married Sara Juanita Bryson on December 17, 1948 at Owings, South Carolina. They raised two children. He worked for Computer Power, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL and retired as a Vice President after 20 years in the mortgage banking industry. Bill was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Topeka and has held memberships at Carmel Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC as well as First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL.

Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years, Juanita; his son, William Paul Cleland, Jr. and his wife Janis, of Topeka; daughter, Nancy Juanita Cleland Higgins, of Monroe, NC; 5 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and one sister, Hazel Cleland Rackley, of Westminster, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Ruth Cleland Goodwin and his brother, Samuel Adams Cleland.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00AM Friday, August 31, 2012 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Inurnment will follow at 1:00PM at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st St. Topeka, KS 66604 or Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Cir. Topeka, KS 66606 or the charity of the donor's choice.