James "Bill" Cleary Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James W. “Bill” Cleary, age 85, of Dalton, Georgia passed away Friday, January 14, 2022. He was born on December 3, 1936. Bill attended and was a faithful member of McFarland Hill Baptist Church. Bill will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend. Bill was a veteran in the US Army and served as a Specialist – Military Police. Bill was also known to be an avid sportsman. In his younger years he won many medals and trophies in softball, archery, and golf in which he also encouraged his children and grand children to do the same. Bill will be greatly missed by his loving family, church family and his South Dalton, Carbondale and Tilton communities. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Martha E. Cleary; parents, Joseph Grady Cleary and Ramie Bell Pritchett Cleary; brothers, Joe Grady Cleary, CL Cleary, Donald Cleary, Roy Cleary; sisters, Betty Parker and Mary Welch. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jodi and Phil Padgett of Dalton; sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Diane Cleary of Dalton, Pernell Cleary of Dalton, Steven and Traci Cleary of Dalton; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Linda Cleary of Chatsworth, Trammell and Virginia Cleary of Dalton; grandchildren, CPO Zach and Nikki Cleary, Leslie Padgett and Brandon Simonds, Avery Padgett, Chad and Emily Padgett, Cody and Megan Cleary, Corbin Cleary and Ally Mainor, Lacey and Zack Ingle, Hunter Cleary and Brooke Hasty, Shelby Mhoon, Logan and David Lewis, Matthew Cleary, Brett Cleary, Carson Cleary, R.J. Storey; great grandchildren, Gavin Landers, McKinley Cleary, Blakey Ingle, Stryker Lewis, Colston Cleary, Natalie Cleary, Quinnley Lewis, Grayson Cleary, Porter Ingle, Luke Cleary, Caroline Cleary; and several nieces and nephews. Serving as pallbearers are grandsons, Avery Padgett, Chad Padgett, Cody Cleary, Matthew Cleary, Brett Cleary, Carson Cleary, and R.J. Storey. Serving as honorary pallbearers are CPO Zach Cleary, Hunter Cleary, and Corbin Cleary. A funeral service to celebrate the life of James W. “Bill” Cleary will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, January 20, 2022 at McFarland Hill Baptist Church with Bro. Randy Parker, Bro. Michael Gazaway, and Pastor Charles Rogers officiating. Interment will be at Whitfield Memorial Gardens. The family will be receiving friends for visitation from 5-8 PM Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to independently owned and operated Dalton Funeral Home, 620 S. Glenwood Ave. Dalton, GA 30721; 706-529-5371.

James "Bill" Cleary

December 3, 1936 - January 14, 2022