Cleve Merrell Woodard

Cleve Merrell Woodard passed away peacefully May 1, 2015. He was born May 31, 1936. He was the oldest of three children of Charles and Doris Woodard. Cleve is survived by his brother Kent of Nampa, Idaho, and his sister Doris Ann Asmus-Jones (Terry) of Emmett, Idaho. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Sharon; and his two brothers, Stephen and Wade. Cleve married Sharon Woodard on March 19, 1960. They had three children, Greg (Tracey), of Seattle; Rich (Lori) of Morris, Ill.; and Cindy Jacobs (Greg) of Billings. Cleve and Sharon had three grandchildren, Michael, Derek and Thomas. Cleve worked for Woolworth as a district manager until 1983. He then purchased a Ben Franklin Store in Big Timber, which he and Sharon ran until he retired in 1999. He and Sharon then moved to Billings to retire and to be closer to their daughter, Cindy. Cleve loved his family and enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, skiing, hunting, circle cars and playing cards. Cleve spent his last two years living at Morning Star Retirement Community, where he made great friendships and enjoyed many social activities. Cleve will be remembered for his sense of adventure, his great sense of humor and love of life. Memorial services for Cleve will be held at First Alliance Church, 1835 Central Ave., in Billings on Monday, May 4, at 11 a.m. Memorials can be made to the First Alliance Church in lieu of flowers.