William C. Van Kleef

William C. Van Kleef was born in Waupun, Wisconsin on March 8, 1922, and peacefully passed away in El Paso, Texas on January 3, 2009. William is survived by his wife of 25 years Maria Han Van Kleef; his daughters, Eva (Kim) Badley of Ocean Shores, Washington, Nellene Westra of Hemet, California, Charlotte (William) Woerz of Riverside, California, and Margaret (John) Slavik of Bedford, Ohio; his son, William (Marlys) Van Kleef of Cedartown, Georgia; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was loved dearly, and will be missed by many wonderful friends and neighbors. William grew up in Waupun Wisconsin, the only son of Cornelius and Nanella (Gutter) Van Kleef. With the desire to protect people and His Country, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the height of World War II as a Military Policeman. He was in the Battle of the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Upon his return to the United States after World War II, he came back to Wisconsin for a short time before moving his family to California, where he would become an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department, where he would retire with 20 years of faithful service. He also provided security at the Los Angeles International Airport. He was never without things to do, and found his retirement years filled with learning new things, such as woodworking, real estate sales, and world travel. His later years would find him gardening and enjoying the slower-paced life found in Western Texas. He was a long-time member of the American Legion and held a California Real Estate License. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in William’s name to the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home, 9650 Kenworthy Street, El Paso, TX 79924. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with a Funeral Service at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 9, 2009 at Sunset Funeral Homes–Northeast. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Military Honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast.