WILLIAM J. CLEARY was born in Philadelphia on August 23, 1908.  

William J. Cleary was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on September 29, 1940. On October 15, 1940 he was assigned to Engine Company 3 at 1813 Broadway as a hoseman. Single at the time, his career with the Fire Department was interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army on February 18, 1941. 

He returned to Camden and was reassigned to Engine Company 3 on Monday, December 1, 1941. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor the following Sunday, and on January 23, 1942 William Cleary was recalled to active duty with the United States Army. He did not return the the Fire Department until he was discharged on October 5, 1945. Still unmarried, William Cleary was making his home at the Young Men's Christian Association building, 614 Federal Street as late as 1947. He later moved to 2012 Wayne Avenue in Cramer Hill.

William Cleary once again returned to Engine Company 3. He was promoted to Captain on June 15, 1951 and was assigned to Engine Company 9, quartered at the East Camden firehouse at North 27th Street and Federal Street. He served with Engine Company 9 until his retirement on July 1, 1973.

William Cleary passed away on February 23, 1975.