Willis D.  McCleery

Willis D.  McCleery

December 6, 1935 – December 21, 2024

Willis Dean McCleery, 89, of Lakeside Village retirement community in Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on December 21, 2024. Willis was born in Hannibal, Missouri, to Lula and Jess McCleery on December 6, 1935. He went to school at Keokuk, Iowa High School, class of 1953, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Etta Jean Park, on June 23, 1956.

‍Willis became a member of the United States Army in May of 1954 and proudly served in Europe until January of 1956. He received the National Defense/Army of Occupation Medal in Germany and maintained the position of Carrier Equipment Repairman. He joined Northwestern Bell Telephone in Iowa and began working as a lineman shortly after returning home. As his career progressed, Willis received career promotions and moved throughout Iowa to various positions, along with his growing family. After teaching business courses for nearly two years at the Bell System training center in Atlanta, Georgia, Willis and his family were moved to Omaha for another promotion. During his time in Omaha, Willis completed his bachelor’s degree in business management, in 1977. Employees and peers often remarked that he was one of the fairest bosses they had ever experienced. Following the divestiture of the Bell System, Willis and Etta reported for duty to St. Paul, Minnesota to lead a division of AT&T. Minnesota’s cold climate and another potential career move led to retirement and a life they both loved in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. Here, Willis served on committees, worked with community organizations, played bells and sang in the choir of the local Presbyterian Church, played coronet in a community band, and enjoyed the beauty that surrounded them. Due to growing health concerns for Etta, Willis and Etta relocated to Kansas City for several years and then Omaha where they lived out their lives. Willis remained steadfastly devoted to Etta as her primary caregiver. He served on various committees within the retirement home in which they lived and remained an active member of the community.

‍Throughout his lifetime Willis enjoyed hobbies including: hunting, oil painting, scuba diving, handball, boating, camping and skiing. Willis led Boy Scout Troops with sons, Mark and Mike. He enjoyed activities on the water with his grandchildren but especially enjoyed time with his beloved wife, Etta. He was a member of Rejoice Lutheran Church, Omaha, Nebraska.

‍Willis is survived by his daughter, Angie Magatagan (Bob) of Denver, CO; son, Mark McCleery (Michelle) of Valley, NE and daughter, Deanna Stover (Nathan) of Lawrence, KS.; eight grandchildren, Erin, Megan, Justin, Benn, Jess, Mariah, Tara, Steve, and seven great-grandchildren, Brody, Elanor, Sawyer, Aria, Veda, Everett, Jasper, Adeline.

‍Willis is preceded in death by his parents, Lula and Jess; wife, Etta, and son, Michael McCleery (Susan).

‍A memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April, 24, 2025, at Rejoice Lutheran Church. A light luncheon will be served following the service. Interment will be at the Omaha National Cemetery.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com