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William Eugene VanCleave

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St. Francis School

William VanCleave Obituary

William Eugene Van Cleave

5/27/1968 to 4/20/2021

William died unexpectedly early Tuesday the 20th at the age of 52. He will be cremated and sometime in the near future there will be a gathering of family and friends to reminisce about his remarkable life. William was a nationally known expert in the field of dyslexia education. He travelled far and wide sponsoring workshops, training sessions, and conferences. The people whose lives he impacted number in the thousands.

William is survived by his mother, Martha Ruth Van Cleave, his brother Trey & Trey's wife Joan and their three children, his father, Richard Van Cleave and Richard's wife Patti, two aunts, two uncles, a number of cousins and Sandra Wright, a long-time close family friend.

Please make donations to St. Francis School of Louisville or Louisville Free Public Library.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier-Journal from Apr. 23 to Apr. 25, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for William VanCleave

Sponsored by The Courier-Journal.

20 Entries

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Mike and Pat Davenport

May 30, 2021

So sorry to hear about William even though we did not know him, only you Martha and Trey. May you feel angels at your side daily during theo days ahead and during your time of deep mourning.

Alex Sagel

May 28, 2021

William is one of the most influential educators on my practices as a teacher. Just this morning I was testing a fourth grade student on her syntactical knowledge, and my first thought was to look back at William's presentations to refamiliarize myself with the knowledge I needed to effectively assess the student. I started tearing up reading through his notes thinking about the fact that I'll never be able to pick his brain or ask him for advice. He is truly missed by so many.

Robin Rovick

May 27, 2021

So many have written about what they learned from VC. I learned that he had a sharp but kind wit, he understood those of us with an "abundance of energy" and he was a Southern Gentleman through and through. His gifts were many and he graciously shared them and had a great time doing it. I have a son and often smiled as he shared stories of his mother, hoping one day that my son would have the same pride and love for me. What better gift is there than that? My heart has been and continues to be with his family and closest friends.

Jean V Smith

May 11, 2021

When I finished up a 32-year career in teaching literature and came to Delaware Valley Friends School in Paoli. PA Catherine Schantz treated me to a course with William as I embarked on my second chapter as a Language Arts Teacher to students with learning differences. William was my lifeline that first year and I retook the course the following summer. It was so refreshing to be in the presence of such a young person who obviously knew his discipline so well and was so generous in bringing others along. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. What a loss all too soon!

Christopher King, son of Diana Hanbury King

May 10, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to the Van Cleave family-- for the monumental loss of this extraordinary highly impactful educator with a brilliant mind and a keen sense of humor. He was a colleague and very dear friend of my mother, Diana Hanbury King.

Sara Sutherland MacGruer

May 5, 2021

I am so very sorry for your loss of your wonderful son and brother. I worked with William on the newspaper at the College of Wooster and he was incredibly talented.

Bonnie Violette

May 3, 2021

Hello. I took several classes with William and really enjoyed him so much. He was enthusiastic and passionate about reading development and instruction. He will be greatly missed! So sad for your loss. Bonnie

Alice Cash

May 2, 2021

I am so saddened to hear of William's passing. I taught him piano when he was about 10 years old and remember him as a kind and sweet boy. It's wonderful to hear how his life progressed and I'm only sorry that it was cut short.

Martha Gay

May 1, 2021

William´s deep knowledge and dynamic passion inspired and helped so many! He was taken too soon, and he will be sorely missed. With condolences and sympathy to his family and countless friends- Martha Gay, Houston

Charles Haynes

April 30, 2021

I am deeply saddened by William's passing. At International Dyslexia Association Conferences, he and I had many animated discussions about the best ways to teach sentence level skills. We shared an abiding appreciation for Diana King's pioneering work as a dyslexia educator. He brimmed with positive energy and joy, and loved teaching teachers. I am grateful for his life and send many supportive thoughts and prayers to his family.

Laurie Newsome

April 29, 2021

So saddened by this news. My condolences to his family and friends and to those students who's lives William affected in such a profound way. I experienced him as a gifted educator and advocate for children with learning disabilities. He will be missed.

Beverly Broadnax-Thrasher

April 29, 2021

Because I have had the opportunity to attend several of Mr. Cleave's literacy presentations at Plain Talk Conferences over the past years and read and re-read many of his published texts, as well as repeatedly view the taped Science of Reading video clips he conducted for the Arkansas Department of Education's R.I.S.E. (Reading Initiative for Student Success) platform, I feel he and I shared kindred spirits for empowering all students to become fluent, skilled readers. His loss is all literacy leaders and teachers' loss. John Donne so beautifully captures this ideology in these lines: "I am involved in mankind, and never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

Kathryn Smith Ripper

April 28, 2021

Oh no! William had so much energy, spark, intelligence, drive to empower others, combined with such a great sense of humor that I can only imagine your loss. I attended a training William conducted many years ago in Columbus, Ohio, and was blown away. He had the Training Gift, the ability to distill his message so that even a parent like me could understand everything he covered. My son never learned to write but I knew other children would have their lives transformed via those in attendance. I do hope there are videos of his presentations because he hadn't reached every professional and family yet. My sympathies to his family and friends.

Blair Thomas

April 26, 2021

William changed the lives of so many readers and learners. He was inspirational and such a kind hearted man. Sending peace and love to his family.

Kristen Morrelli

April 26, 2021

My heart, as I am sure countless others' hearts are broken hearing this news. William taught me so much about working with children with different abilities and lead me on a journey of educational discovery. I loved his sense of humor and straightforward approach to teaching and will deeply miss seeing him. The students I work with will forever be changed by the way I incorporate what I learned from William. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Billie & Harvey Detroy

April 26, 2021

Our hearts are broken with this unexpected loss. Williams passion for teaching was admirable beyond measure. Knowing him since his high school years as one of our daughter´s best friends, we watched him grow from the kid he was until the man he became. Like a caterpillar to a butterfly! William, you will be missed by so many. I will miss our lunches and our visits. Martha Ruth and Trey, our deepest condolences. Rest In Peace dear William. Love, Mrs D and Harv

AIM Academy

April 26, 2021

To the entire Van Cleave Family, please accept our deepest and utmost sympathies for the loss of William. As you know, William has been such a tremendous resource and facilitator for our entire faculty over the years. We are all absolutely heartbroken at AIM, but assure you we will continue to honor the legacy of William's work in all that we do.

Our Deepest Sympathies,
Pat Roberts, Nancy Blair, and the entire AIM Academy Community.

Penelope

April 25, 2021

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I first met William at a dyslexia conference in New Mexico a few years ago and continued to attend any workshop he taught thereafter. He lit up a room with his personality; people were drawn to him. So many people learned from him and went back to their classrooms to teach children how fun and engaging grammar and writing could be. My students love writing because of what he taught me. The seeds that he planted in his life will create deep roots and spectacular blossoms. I pray that you find comfort, strength, and encouragement during this difficult time.

Lettitia Long

April 24, 2021

I will always count William among my life's many blessings. I pray we all, especially his family, find comfort and peace knowing his light, energy, and dedication to "literacy for all" lives on in the countless lives he touched. William was, indeed, one-of-a-kind!

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