The Officers and Members of the Clayton Fire Co. are mourning the passing of Past President and Life Member William C. Donavon Jr. or Cleve on Sunday April 20, 2025. PP Donavon was a member for over 50 years. During those years he has held many offices and severed on numerous committees. Cleve had severed both the administrative and fire line sections of the company to include Lieutenant, Captain, 2nd Assistant Chief, 1st Assistant Chief, Director, Vice President and lead the company as President from 1996 to 1998..
Cleve was also a member of the 100th Anniversary Committee and chaired the sub-committee that was charged with designing and producing our 100th Anniversary Book, which was a huge success. Cleve has received several awards during his membership with the company. He has been awarded Fireman of the Year Award, Kent County Fireman of the Year Award, and has responded to over 2000 alarms.
Outside the fire company Cleve spent many years being involved in the community serving as a coach with the Smyrna/Clayton Little League, Smyrna/Clayton Pop Warner, and served on the Clayton Town Council and also served as Mayor of the Town of Clayton.
Today Cleve lives in Dover with his daughter Jennifer Donavon he has 3 grandchildren; Troy, Madi, Lexxi.
Funeral Arrangements as of April 29, 2025
A viewing will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 10 AM to 12 PM in the Faries Funeral Chapel, located at 29 S. Main Street in Smyrna. Funeral services will begin at 12 PM with Pastor Rich Walton. Burial will be with military honors, with interment at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, Delaware at 2 PM.
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Nature: Medical Emergency
Nature: Medical Emergency
Nature: Medical Emergency