William Harris Mastin, Jr.

William Harris Mastin, Jr. a lifelong resident of Cleveland passed away peacefully at Canterbury of Twinsburg on July 22, 2019 after a short but valiant battle with cancer.

Bill was born to William Harris and Mildred (nee Downs) Mastin on February 22, 1943.

A lifelong Catholic, Bill attended St. Aloysius Catholic Elementary School, and graduated from Glenville High School (1962) where he met Sandra Anderson, whom he would eventually wed in 1970.

Bill went on to briefly attend Central State University, but ultimately returned to Cleveland to begin his career in various supervisory roles at some of Cleveland’s great manufacturing companies including Warner & Swasey, The Standard Oil Company, Honeywell and LTV Steel.

Bill loved to work, and after working many years in the manufacturing industry, Bill decided it was time to complete his education and ultimately earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Capital University, and his Masters of Social Work from Case Western Reserve University;  later working with Catholic Charities.

Although the marriage to Sandra (Anderson) Mastin didn’t last…it did produce one child, Madelyn...whom Bill would later say was his greatest work.

Bill (or affectionately known in the neighborhood as “Mr. Bill”) lived life on his own terms. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed camping, nature photography, loved to ride his bicycle, loved reading and enjoyed working out…he most especially enjoyed dining out at restaurants around Cleveland .  Some of his most cherished moments were when he could play his clarinet or tenor saxophone and gig around Cleveland at jazz and blues jam sessions with his friends.  Bill’s personality and smile were as big as he was, and he was quite the charismatic person, with an unmatched vocabulary…he was a true linguaphile.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Michael, nephew Jason Coleman (CA), uncle Emmett Downs (Lucille), uncle Harry Downs, his aunt Annette (nee Downs) and uncle Johnny James, and his beloved aunt Dorothy Downs (Momma Dot).

Left to reflect on his memories are his daughter, Madelyn Mastin, 1st cousins Ronald James (Evelyn- nee Wilson), Karen Bradley (Dwight Dominic), Deborah James, John E. James, David James, Meryl T. Johnson, and Irby Trimble.  Nephew Noah Jefferson (CO) and niece Nicole Jefferson (TX), thirteen  2nd cousins,  twenty-three 3rd cousins,  former wife Sandra (Anderson) Mastin, cherished neighbors Mr. Sam and Mrs. Linda, and several close friends that Bill regarded as extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at E. F. Boyd and Son Funeral Home and Crematory, located at 25900 Emery Rd., Warrensville Heights, OH 44128. The family will receive visitors that day beginning at 1 PM with the Service immediately following.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in William H. Mastin, Jr.'s name to the American Cancer Society.

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