George William "Bill" Van Cleave

George William (Bill) Van Cleave of Campbellsville, KY and Boulder, CO, son of the late Rhodam Parrott Van Cleave and Hattie Bell Van Cleave, was born on October 18, 1934 and departed this life surrounded by friends and family on October 7, 2025 at his cousin's, Shirley Phillips', Mini-Home in Campbellsville, KY. He was 90 years, 11 months and 19 days of age.
Professionally, he served honorably in the United States Army Defense Command as a Chief Warrant Officer in Washington DC and Baltimore, MD. From there he earned his Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and went on to become a Senior Engineer at IBM in Lexington, KY; Boulder, CO; SanJose, CA, and Austin, TX. He also helped invent and develop the first modern day office copy machine that was found in businesses across the world. After retiring from IBM, he studied Patent Law and went on to become a Patent Agent Attorney until he retired a second time.
Playing bridge and flying were his hobbies, and he became a licensed single engine plane and commercial airline pilot. He loved flying people over the Rocky Mountains. He maintained his faith through the Methodist Church, as a child at Greensburg Methodist Church, as a young adult at Nicholasville Methodist Church, and most recently with his church family at Stoner Creek Methodist Church in Acton, KY.
Bill is survived by his daughter & son-in law, Dr. Vicki Van Cleave and Stanley Lawrence, 3 grandchildren: Andee Grandits of Boulder, CO; Nick Lawrence (Dejá) of Las Vegas, NV; Nicole Ortega (David) of Chesterfield, VA; 5 great grandchildren; his caregiver of nearly 8 years, Betty Smith; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends across the world.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Kilby Van Cleave (86y) in 2022; his son, Michael Van Cleave (51y) in 2019; his granddaughter, Mia Miller (16y) in 2014, along with many friends and family of his generation that were so important to him.
FUNERAL: Monday, October 13, 2025 – 1:00 P.M. LR Petty Funeral Home (ACTON –MANNSVILLE CHAPEL)
250 Wooleyville Rd., Acton, KY
OFFICIATING: Bro. John Hall
ENTOMBMENT: Campbellsville Memorial Gardens
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