Mr. William Calvin Van Kleef Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California on August 9, 1951, and peacefully went home to Our Lord and Savior in Rome, Georgia on Friday, November 1, 2024.

William is survived by his son, William (Marcy) C. Van Kleef III of Rome Georgia; granddaughters, Molly (Peter) Clance and Emily Van Kleef, both of Rome, Georgia; along with cousins, and many nieces, nephews, and friends who affectionately knew him as “Tiny”; sisters, Eva (Kim) Badley of Ocean Shores, Washington, Nellene Westra of Hemet, California, and Margaret (John) Slavik of Cleveland, Ohio.

William was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Marlys E. (Murray) Van Kleef; and a sister, Charlotte R. (William) Van Kleef Woerz of Riverside, California.

Always ready to spread the Word of God, Tiny’s tall stature and deep voice was recognizable from near and far. Tiny, along with his wife Marlys, had singing voices that were renowned and revered in Georgia and Alabama churches. It was the love for singing that brought Tiny and Marlys together since the age of 15, and together they will forever sing in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

William grew up in Southern California and was the son of William Van Kleef and Wilma (Navis) Van Kleef and graduated from Savanna High School in Anaheim, California in 1969. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Security Forces Officer and would rise in the ranks to Staff Sergeant and become a Combat Arms Instructor. William was the Air Force’s Top Marksman for 1972.

William served one year on town patrol at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, and was part of the 6510th Police Squadron at Edwards AFB, California. Upon the end of his enlistment in the Air Force, he moved his young family to Cave Spring, Georgia, and would eventually call Cedartown, Georgia home for over forty years.

Tiny worked for the HON Company for 35 years and spent his retirement years singing with his wife Marlys and doting about their two granddaughters.

A Celebration of Praise will be held on November 24, 2024 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at Lime Branch Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Crisp officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that love offerings be made out to and sent to Lime Branch Baptist Church located at 1127 Tallapoosa Hwy, Cedartown, GA 30125 in memory of William (“Tiny”) and Marlys Van Kleef.

Messages of condolence can be made to the family by visiting our website and signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.

The Olin L. Gammage and Son Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the services of Mr. William Calvin Van Kleef, Jr.