William Donald Cleveland was born Oct. 4, 1948, in Bowie, Texas to Donald Dean and Betty Isabella Cleveland. He died Nov. 20, 2024, at age 76 at his home in Bowie.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Alvord with visitation at 9:30 am. Burial was held at Alvord Cemetery.
One of his treasures in life was growing up in Post Oak, Texas,with his sister,Marsha, and having the advantage of their Papaw Cleveland living with them and sharing his love, wisdom and love for the Lord.His mentor and pastor, Tom Urrey, “Tinker,” held a special place in his heart and life as well.
He graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1967. He then went to Howard Payne on a track scholarship, graduated from Midwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, attended Southwestern Theological Seminary and later, worked toward a master’s degree in psychology at Midwestern University.
He began his career while attending Howard Payne as Youth Minister at First Baptist Church of Llano, Texas. He then became Youth Minister at Southwest Baptist Church in Jacksboro, Texas, while attending Seminary. Next, he was Youth Minister at Sunnyside Baptist in Wichita Falls, Texas, and then, Music and Youth Minister at First Baptist Church of Childress, Texas. He then established Cleveland Electric in Bowie, while serving several churches part time. In 1994, he began his ministry at First Baptist Church of Alvord, Texas, where he served as pastor for 28 years. He was instrumental in overseeing the building of a new sanctuary in 2009, along with many members who did most of the work themselves. His one request was that the building have a cornerstone that had the name “Jesus” inscribed and built into the building. His wish was that no man take the glory, except God. God used Bill to lead many people to Christ through his preaching, counseling, hospital visits, vacation bible schools, bible studies, youth mission trips and ski trips.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Betty Cleveland; Sara Bayard; and Andrea Wood.
Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Paula; his “little” sister and “big” brother, Marsha and Mike Robinson, of Jacksboro; children Shawn Cleveland and wife Stephanie, of Plano, Texas, and Shanna Cleveland, of Boston, Mass.; grandchildren Claire, Christopher and Cole Cleveland; Barry and Rhonda Clark, Kent and Pam Wood; grandchildren Melissa and Zeke Dorr, Macie and Cody Rollins, Kregg and Jordan Wood and Kyle and Lorraine Wood; and great-grandchildren Clark and Nicholas Dorr, Callie and Sadie Rollins, Hallie and Cooper Wood and Grayson Wood.
Memorial contributions should be made to the First Baptist Church of Alvord building fund.
His request was to have the word “Tetelestai” on his headstone, meaning it is finished.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
