William Early Van Cleve Sr.

William Early Van Cleve, 76, died Friday, September 25, 2009, at home after a long battle with cancer.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., tonight in the Parish Hall of St. James Episcopal Church, 3921 Oakridge Dr., Jackson, MS. The service will be 2 p.m., Monday, September 28, 2009, at St. James with visitation one hour prior to the service. Breeland Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Bill was born on January 17, 1933, in Indianola, MS to Eugene Seldon Van Cleve, Sr. and Laura Virginia Early Van Cleve.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Joseph Baker Van Cleve.
Bill graduated from Indianola High School, attended the University of the South (Sewanee), and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi. In college, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After graduation, he attended Officers' Candidate School in Newport, RI and served three years in the Navy as a Lt. j.g.
Bill spent fifty years as an insurance executive with R. S. Greer, Connecticut General, and Bryson and Company. He was a member of the Pioneer Club, Civil War Roundtable, First Families of Mississippi, and a long time member of St. James Episcopal Church.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy Dandridge Van Cleve; his sons, William Early Van Cleve, Jr. and wife, Stacy, and their two daughters, Shelby and Caroline of Dallas, TX, and George Dandridge Van Cleve, M.D. of Meridian, MS; brother, Eugene Seldon Van Cleve, Jr. and wife, Joyce; as well as a niece, Helen; and a nephew, Seldon and wife, Michelle.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Church or Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS 39157.