Willet Maurice Cleveland, Sr., 97, of Victoria, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026.

Willet was born in Lake Placedo on July 1, 1928 to Eugene Lester Cleveland and Lillie Lerline (Bennett) Cleveland. 

Willet worked the majority of his life in the oil field working for Sears Alcorn and later retired from Hewitt and Dougherty. 

Willet enjoyed coaching his sons in softball.  He also enjoyed working on car engines and repairing lawn equipment, tools and small appliances.  Willet also loved greeting his fellow church members as they entered the building for services each week at Central Church of Christ where he was a member and also served as a deacon.

Willet was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Lillie; his beloved wife, Rosa Lee (Lumpkins) Cleveland; a brother, Arther Clyde Cleveland; and three sisters, Olivia Ernestine (Cleveland) Fagg; Ruby Katherine (Cleveland) Hawkes; and Margaret Joyce (Cleveland) McDonald; and son-in-law, Marlin Lewis.

Those left to cherish his memory are Willet's children, Will Cleveland and wife, Connie; Debbie (Cleveland) Joyner and husband, Robert; Michael Cleveland and wife, Debbie; and Kim (Cleveland) Lewis; brothers, Billy Gene Cleveland; Paul Edwin Cleveland and wife Ethel; James Ray Cleveland and wife Lucille; Robert Wayne Cleveland and wife, Debbie; sister, Betty Mae (Cleveland) Trojack; grandchildren, Shannon Watson and husband, Todd; Chad Cleveland and wife, Delain; Keeley Lewis; Mandy Lunsford; Alban Lunsford and wife, Melissa; Chase Cleveland and wife, Melissa; Danielle Johnson and husband, Ben; Chelsea Kane and husband, Chris; Aaron Lunsford; and Cameron Cleveland; and numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.