George William Julien

Mr. Julien passed away May 3rd at The Greens of Lyndhurst, nursing facility.

He was a long time resident of both Pepper Pike and Shaker Heights

Born: Chicago, Ill

His family came to Cleveland about 1932. As a small child he was named “Mayor” of “Busy Town” the local safety town. He continued his leadership roles as the President of his Junior High class at The Shaker Heights Junior High and then went to University School in Shaker Heights where he graduated in 1945 with nine athletic letters, to include honors as the MVP of the football team, Captain of the baseball team, and recipient of the prestigious awards of The Cadmean Award, The Potts award and designation as a “Prefect” in the school.

From US he went right into the Merchant Marines, and after serving in San Mateo California, he on to join the US ARMY, in the 101st Airborne Division. After the War, he went to Yale University, graduating in l950 with a degree in Engineering.

He went to work in Cleveland as an Engineer for the Gould Corporation, only to leave after a few months for a more adventurous life as an “Iron Walker” on high rise construction. He partnered up with the famous Indian tribes who were the beam walkers of the time, braving heights across the country, in Florida New York City and Cleveland.

In 1954, he returned to Cleveland to form the Julien Construction Company. This was a pile driving company, which grew to have more than 50 cranes operating in 24 states. His company participated in local pile driving construction projects such as Jacobs Field, Geauga Lake Park, Sea World and various shoreline works along Lake Erie and The Cuyahoga River. He was an amateur pilot who flew his own small plane to the locations. That is until he crashed it at Burke Lakefront, but walked away and showed up for his evening commitment as planned!

He was a past member of the Cleveland Skating Club and an avid tennis player, winning many parent child competitions with his children. He also played Paddle Tennis and swam regularly as a hobby.

He had four pure bred German Shepherds over the years and loved to work them out with long walks over the various golf courses which he lived adjacent to in Shaker and Pepper Pike.

He was a past member of the Board of Directors of Knollwood Cemetery.

“Bill” was the beloved husband of the late Terry Julien (nee Ryan); dear father of Jenni Julien of Chico, CA, George W. Julien, Jr. of Cleveland, OH, Jocelyn J. Hondlik (Christopher) of University Hts., OH and Don H. Julien of New York, NY; dear grandfather of Courtney Ryan, Ryan and Lauren Hondlik; brother of Joanne Barzler of Melbourne, FL. Those who wish may make contributions in his name to an organization of choice. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, May 8 at 11 AM in Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights, 2680 Coventry Rd., (at Weymouth Rd.). Interment Knollwood Cemetery.

FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HTS., OH MONDAY 6-8 PM. 216-752-1200