Leslie William “Bill” Cleave, founder of Cleave’s Earthmoving & Drainage and Cleave’s Garden Supplies, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Goulburn Valley Health, aged 89 years.
At 12-years of age, Bill left school and commenced his working life at WH Youngs & Sons’ quarry in Cosgrove. His first job was loading rocks into skip bins by hand, which were later loaded onto trucks. By the age of 16, Billy has progressed to operating front-end loaders. He left the quarry, coming to Shepparton to work operating a mini backhoe, and working both the garbage run and the night-cart run. In 1970, he went into partnership with Jimmy Sewel, doing drainage work but he was struck down with cement poisoning from his days in the quarry, subsequently dissolving the partnership.
Bill married wife Marlene in Shepparton in 1958 and they had four children; Andrew, Sharon, Nicole and Jarrod. In 1977, Billy purchased a wheelbarrow and a couple of shovels and the Cleave’s business was born. Marlene looked after the books for Cleave’s from its inception until 2001, and the children have also been heavily involved with the family business. Andrew joined the business in 1979 at age 16, Jarrod followed in 1989 at age 17.
In 1996, the Cleave’s family business formed a company, and it continued to grow under the leadership of Bill’s sons. The Cleave’s name became a trusted business in the region for its quality materials and reliable service. Known for his tenacity, work ethic and passion, Bill has left a lasting impact on Shepparton.
Bill is survived by his wife, Marlene, his children, Andrew, Sharon, Nicole, and Jarrod, and his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
