Lieutenant Colonel William ”Bill” Henry Cleino, ANG, Retired passed into the Lord’s arms Friday, October 23, at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital in Anniston, Alabama. He was 66 years old.

A memorial service is being held Saturday, October 31 at Church of the Messiah in Heflin at 11:00 AM. The family will receive visitors starting at 10:00 AM in the church fellowship hall. Following the service there will be an internment with full military honors provided by the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Cleburne Memorial Garden in Ranburne, Alabama.

Bill Cleino is survived by the love of his life and wife of 14 years Martha Sherrell Cleino; his mother Dr. Elizabeth Cleino; his sisters: Dr. Anne Witt, Beth Allaway, Jeannie Cleino Perkins (Jerry), and Barbara Cleino; his daughters: Carolyn Cleino Ezell (Justin), Christine L. Cannon (Crash), and Rebecca A. Hogue (Robert). He is also survived by six grandchildren: Brandon and Charlotte Ezell, Colton and Cody Cannon, and Tyler and Kaytlin Hogue; and special friends Cathy Beasley, Michael Spalding and Rev. Hoyt Winslett.

Lt. Col. Cleino was a true American hero and pillar of his community. He honorably served over 22 years as a F-4 Phantom fighter pilot in the Alabama Air National Guard with numerous military honors. After retiring from military service he continued his professional joy by flying professionally in commercial airplanes with Kiwi and Delta airlines and personally in engineless gliders.

In addition to his distinguished military service, Bill received his B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Alabama and M.A. in Education from the University of Montevallo. He continued a life of service by teaching mathematics and electronic classes at Gadsden State Community College, serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Cleburne County Hospital Board, and was on the vestry and junior warden of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Bill’s interests included hunting and enjoying the outdoors. He enjoyed traveling with his local Corvette club. He was an avid historian. He was an active member of the R.E. Rodes Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and was presented the Meritorious Service Award by the W.M. Forney Chapter #468 United Daughters of the Confederacy. After officially retiring, he enjoyed spending time at his home in Heflin Alabama. When Sherrell retired, they enjoyed living in The Villages in Florida. He constantly provided love and support to his friends and family. He was a shining example of a great friend, mentor, son, brother, father, grandfather and husband.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating contributions to Church of the Messiah to further the blessings of the Kingdom of God.

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