William R. "Bill" Cleworth

William Ralph Cleworth, 69, quietly passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at home, after fighting cancer since 2019. I n honor of Bill's wishes, no services will be held.
Bill – or Willy – depending on how you knew him, was the youngest child born to Elizabeth (Tyler) and Robert Cleworth Sr., on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1955, in Wisconsin Rapids. It was joked that weighing in at just under 10 pounds, had he been his mom's first, he might have been her last.
Bill grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, attending local elementary schools and graduating from Lincoln High School in 1974, where he was active in the choral music program. He attended University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and University of Minnesota. He was most proud of returning to college and graduating with honors from Ashford University in 2016.
After meeting at Ponderosa Steakhouse in Wisconsin Rapids, Bill married debi (Mitch) in an outdoor ceremony at Galecke Park in Plover on July 14, 1984. He was the proud father of five children, Courtney Quinn (Anthony Clark, Sr.) of Schofield, Tyler Downs of Appleton, and Christopher William, Cole Palmer, and Eric Marc, all of Wisconsin Rapids.
Throughout the years, Bill was employed by area restaurants, Twin City Storm and Sash, co-owner of Advanced Towers Climbing Services (climbing and repairing cell phone towers), and owner of Willy's Home Renovators.
Bill enjoyed watching the Badgers, Packers, Brewers and Bucks – and even Chicago Blackhawks. He enjoyed cooking and sometimes he and debi would hit the kitchen after watching a late-night cooking show. After his diagnosis, he developed an affinity for Bob Ross and dabbled in oil painting. Bill had a beautiful voice which he shared with others in church choirs. Before he got ill, he enjoyed Peanut M & M's by the bagful.
He loved the outdoors, especially going out in his canoe, and enjoyed fishing and camping trips to Canada with friends and other locations with his kids and grandkids. When he and debi purchased their home in 2017, he loved working in his garden and was proud of the hardscaping path and fire pit he put in, even while going through chemo. He loved looking out into the backyard when it snowed.
In addition to his wife and children, he is further survived by his sister, Barbara (John) Caves of Port Edwards and brother, Robert (Penny) Cleworth, Jr. of Wisconsin Rapids; his in-laws, Joseph and Adrian Mitch of Stevens Point; brother-in-law, Joseph "Rusty" (Wendy) Mitch of Plover; sisters-in-law, Donna (Joe) Meulemans of Seymour and Patti Mitch of Stevens Point; and his grandchildren: Jeidan, Cayleb, Ryleigh, and Loki. His dog, Buddy, also survives. He is further survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts.
Bill is predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth and Robert Cleworth Sr., Jane Miller-Cleworth, nephew Brian Hunt; niece, Rebecca "Becca" Sommers and great-niece, Aleah Applebee; grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his beloved dog, Rufus.
The family would like to thank Compassus Hospice, especially nurse Venessa; the staff at Aspirus Cancer Care for their compassion and care, especially Dr. Justin Asquith and Nurse Jodi. We would like to thank Ritchay Funeral Home for assisting the family with arrangements. We would like to thank the special friends who stopped over to support Bill in special ways. Thank you to all who followed Bill's journey on CaringBridge.com. Your messages are cherished and comforting and will help us as we move forward.
When you tell a Dad joke, think of Bill. When you say a prayer, think of Bill. When you enjoy nature, have a Point Bock or bag of Peanut M & M's, think of Bill. And smile.
"The song is ended but the melody lingers on." - Irving Berlin.