Cleophas Joseph "Smiley" Willette

Cleophas Joseph "Smiley" Willette

Male 1925 - 2011  (86 years)

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  • Name Cleophas Joseph "Smiley" Willette  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Birth 29 Jun 1925  Mooers, Clinton, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    Gender Male 
    Burial Jul 2011  Champlain, Clinton, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    • Old Saint Mary's Cemetery - Find A Grave Memorial ID 123759585
    Death 7 Jul 2011  Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Siblings 5 siblings 
    Person ID I2519  Patrie Phaneuf Family
    Last Modified 8 Feb 2022 

    Father Leo Alfred Willette,   b. 13 Jan 1903, Mooers, Clinton, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1978 (Age 74 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Delia Pearl Babbie,   b. Abt 1903, New York Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Abt 1980 (Age 77 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Marriage 2 Sep 1924  Mooers, Clinton, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 9, 10
    • Names parents
    1924 Marriage Willette Babbie
    1924 Marriage Willette Babbie
    Family ID F1272  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Alfreda Ruth "Melody Al" Phaneuf,   b. 8 Aug 1927, Champlain, Clinton, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 Sep 2013, Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 86 years) 
    Marriage Feb 1946  Mobile, Mobile, Alabama, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [11, 12
    Children 
    +1. Amy Louise Willette,   b. 21 Sep 1950, Champlain, Clinton, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 8 May 2021, Plattsburgh, Clinton, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 70 years)  [natural]
    Last Modified 8 Feb 2022 
    Family ID F1282  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 29 Jun 1925 - Mooers, Clinton, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - Feb 1946 - Mobile, Mobile, Alabama, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - Jul 2011 - Champlain, Clinton, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 7 Jul 2011 - Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    cleo
    cleo
    1930 US Census Leo Willette
    (At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.)
    1940 US Census Leo A Willette
    (At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.)
    1943 WWII Draft Card Cleophas Joseph Willette p1
    1943 WWII Draft Card Cleophas Joseph Willette p1
    1943 WWII Draft Card Cleophas Joseph Willette p2
    1943 WWII Draft Card Cleophas Joseph Willette p2

  • Sources 
    1. [S50] Ancestry.com, 1930 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2002;), 1930 US Census Leo Willette.
      24 Apr 1930
      Name: Leo Willett
      Birth Year: abt 1903
      Gender: Male
      Race: White
      Age in 1930: 27
      Birthplace: New York
      Marital Status: Married
      Relation to Head of House: Head
      Home in 1930: Mooers, Clinton, New York, USA
      Map of Home:
      Street Address: Fee Road
      Dwelling Number: 56
      Family Number: 56
      Home Owned or Rented: Rented
      Home Value: 4
      Radio Set: No
      Lives on Farm: No
      Age at First Marriage: 21
      Attended School: No
      Able to Read and Write: Yes
      Father's Birthplace: New York
      Mother's Birthplace: New York
      Able to Speak English: Yes
      Occupation: Laborer
      Industry: Excelsior mill
      Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
      Employment: Yes
      Able to Speak English: Yes
      Household Members Age Relationship
      Leo Willett 27, works in excelsior mill,married 1924
      Della Willett 26. married 1924
      Cleo Willett 4 Son
      Clifford Willett 3 Son
      Douglas Willett 2 Son
      Patricia Willett 1 Daughter
      Junior Leo Willett 0 Son

    2. [S50] Ancestry.com, 1930 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2002;), Year: 1930; Census Place: Mooers, Clinton, New York; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0022; FHL microfilm: 2341151.
      1930 United States Federal Census
      1930 United States Federal Census


    3. [S94] Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), 2011 Find A Grave Cleophas J Willette.
      Birth: Jun. 29, 1925 Mooers Clinton County New York, USA
      Death: Jul. 7, 2011 Allentown Lehigh County Pennsylvania, USA
      CHAMPLAIN —
      Cleophas J. "Smiley" Willette, 86, former long-time resident of Champlain, was called to eternal life with the Lord on Thursday, July 7, 2011, at The Westminster Home in Allentown, Pa. He was born in Mooers, N.Y., on June 29, 1925, the oldest son of Leo A. Willette and Della (Babbie) Willette.
      Cleo enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Jan. 19, 1944, and served on the USS Leon APA 48 in the South Pacific. There he served as the boatswain mate second class.
      He was discharged on May 8, 1946, and was the recipient of four medals: American Theater, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
      Returning to Champlain, Cleo was employed as a machinist for Sheridan Iron Works and later as a supervisor for Harris Graphics. He would work by day and often the Sunset Ramblers had engagements to provide music in the evenings.
      Better known as "Smiley," he and his wife, "Melody Al," headed up the Sunset Ramblers Country and Western Band. They aired on local radio stations WIRI and WEAV in Plattsburgh and soon after hosted a live TV show, The Saturday Night Jamboree on WPTZ, Channel 5, as well as a TV show from CHLT, Channel 7, Sherbrooke, Quebec. They recorded three long playing records under the Westar (Rusticana) label out of Montreal.
      Family links:
      Spouse: Alfreda Ruth Phaneuf Willette (1927 - 2013
      Burial: Old Saint Mary's Cemetery Champlain Clinton County New York, USA Find A Grave Memorial# 123759585

    4. [S114] Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), Year: 1940; Census Place: Champlain, Clinton, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02516; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 10-9.
      1940 United States Federal Census
      1940 United States Federal Census


    5. [S237] Ancestry.com, U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2011;), 1943 WWII Draft Cleophas Joseph Willette.
      Name: Cleophas Joseph Willette
      Race: White
      Age: 18
      Birth Date: 29 Jun 1925
      Birth Place: Mooers , New York
      Residence Place: Champlain, Clinton, New York
      Registration Date: 29 Jun 1943
      Registration Place: Rouses Point, New York, USA
      Employer: Sheridan Iron Works
      Weight: 126
      Complexion: Ruddy
      Eye Color: Brown
      Hair Color: Brown
      Height: 5''6"
      Next of Kin: Della Willette
      Household Members Relationship
      Cleophas Joseph Willette
      Della Willette - Mother
      Scar on left arm, Wears glasses

    6. [S253] Ancestry.com, Alabama, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1969, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;).
      Alabama, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1969
      Alabama, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1969


    7. [S114] Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), 1940 US Census Leo A Willette.
      24 Apr 1940
      Name: Leo A Willette
      Age: 37
      Estimated Birth Year: abt 1903
      Gender: Male
      Race: White
      Birthplace: New York
      Marital Status: Married
      Relation to Head of House: Head
      Home in 1940: Champlain, Clinton, New York
      Map of Home in 1940:
      Street: Cedar Street
      Farm: No
      Inferred Residence in 1935: Champlain, Clinton, New York
      Residence in 1935: Champlain
      Sheet Number: 12A
      Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 246
      Father's Birthplace: New York
      Mother's Birthplace: New York
      Occupation: Tool Room Clerk
      House Owned or Rented: Rented
      Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 9
      Attended School or College: No
      Highest Grade Completed: College, 5th or subsequent year
      Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 44
      Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
      Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
      Income: 936
      Income Other Sources: Yes
      Native Language: French
      Veteran: No
      Social Security Number: Yes
      Usual Occupation: Tool Room Elerk
      Usual Industry: Iron
      Usual Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
      Neighbors:
      Household Members Age Relationship
      Leo A Willette 37, tool room clerk at Sheridan
      Della P Willette 36 Wife
      Cleo J Willette 14 Son
      Clifford L Willette 13 Son
      Donglas E Willette 12 Son
      Patrica D Willette 11 Daughter
      Leo A Willette Jr 10 Son
      Roderick A Willette 9 Son

    8. [S123] United States Federal Census, 1930 US Census, (Name: National Archives and Records Administration; Location: Washington, DC;), 1930 US Census Leo Willette.
      24 Apr 1930
      Name: Leo Willett
      Birth Year: abt 1903
      Gender: Male
      Race: White
      Age in 1930: 27
      Birthplace: New York
      Marital Status: Married
      Relation to Head of House: Head
      Home in 1930: Mooers, Clinton, New York, USA
      Map of Home:
      Street Address: Fee Road
      Dwelling Number: 56
      Family Number: 56
      Home Owned or Rented: Rented
      Home Value: 4
      Radio Set: No
      Lives on Farm: No
      Age at First Marriage: 21
      Attended School: No
      Able to Read and Write: Yes
      Father's Birthplace: New York
      Mother's Birthplace: New York
      Able to Speak English: Yes
      Occupation: Laborer
      Industry: Excelsior mill
      Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
      Employment: Yes
      Able to Speak English: Yes
      Household Members Age Relationship
      Leo Willett 27, works in excelsior mill,married 1924
      Della Willett 26. married 1924
      Cleo Willett 4 Son
      Clifford Willett 3 Son
      Douglas Willett 2 Son
      Patricia Willett 1 Daughter
      Junior Leo Willett 0 Son

    9. [S38] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936, (Name: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Location: Provo, UT;), 1924 Marriage Willette Babbie.
      Name: Leo Alfred Willette
      Gender: Male
      Age: 21
      Birth Date: abt 1903
      Birth Place: Mooers
      Marriage Date: 2 Sep 1924
      Marriage Place: Moores, Clinton, New York, USA
      Father: Felix Willette
      Mother: Marceline Raymond
      Spouse: Della Pearl Babbie
      Age: 20
      Birth Date: abt 1904
      Birth Place: Champlain
      Father: Joseph Babbie
      Mother: Emma Vachereau
      Film Number: 000863410
      Married by Catholic Priest

    10. [S66] Ancestry.com, New York, County Marriages, 1847-1849; 1907-1936, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2016;).
      New York, County Marriages, 1847-1849; 1907-1936
      New York, County Marriages, 1847-1849; 1907-1936


    11. [S94] Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), 2013 Find A Grave Alfreda R Willette.
      Birth: Aug. 8, 1927 Champlain Clinton County New York,
      USA Death: Sep. 27, 2013 Allentown Lehigh County Pennsylvania, USA
      Alfreda R. "Melody Al" Willette, completed her earthly sojourn of 86 yrs. on Sept. 27, 2013 when Our Blessed Lord called her to come home to Him. Family members were with her as she embarked on her new life. She was a resident at Westminster Nursing Home in Allentown, PA.
      In 1946, Alfreda married her childhood sweetheart, Cleophas (Smiley) Willette at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Mobile, Alabama.
      Prior to moving to Bethlehem, PA, Alfreda was a life long resident of Champlain, NY. She was an active member of her community and served as President of the American Legion Post 767 Auxiliary. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church and was responsible for forming the Folk Group in 1986. She was also a Third Order Fransican for the past 27 years.
      In her younger years, Alfreda (Melody Al) along with her husband Smiley Willette played on WIRY and WEAV in Plattsburgh. Additionally, they hosted the live tv show, Saturday Night Jamboree, on Channel 5 WPTZ. Their country western band 'Smiley Willette and the Sunset Ramblers' provided entertainment in Northern NY, Vermont, Quebec and Ontario. Melody Al wrote and recorded "Slave of Your Heart" and "Faraway Look In Your Eyes". Together they also recorded three LP records under the Rusticana Label from Montreal. Their last professional engagement was in 1970.
      Alfreda then joined the work force as a supervisor at Pamplon Vestments in Champlain Alfreda was an excellent cook, loved to knit, crochet and play pinochle with anyone who didn't mind losing. She fiercely loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was happiest when spending time with them. Her musical abilities were only surpassed by her love for the Lord and her Family. Her exuberant personality will be greatly missed by many.
      She is predeceased by her husband, Smiley (Cleo) Willette, her parents Antoine and Allie Phaneuf, her siblings Antoine, Albert, Richard, Madeline Barker, Margaret Clark, Theresa Leahy.
      A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 86 Church St., Champlain, NY with Rev. Bill Edwards, celebrating the mass. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Church St., Champlain, NY.
      Family links:
      Spouse: Cleophas J. Willette (1925 - 2011) Burial: Old Saint Mary's Cemetery Champlain Clinton County New York, USA Find A Grave Memorial# 123759057

    12. [S253] Ancestry.com, Alabama, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1969, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;).
      Alabama, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1969
      Alabama, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1969