"Beth and Family- so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I enjoyed him as a boss and admired him ringing the bell in 20 below weather. Beautiful obit- a great life he lived!"
In loving memory of
William Kelly
March 23, 1930 - August 29, 2022
William Franklin Kelly, honored with a Hometown Hero Award by the Wisconsin Legislature for his lifetime of philanthropy and care for others, passed onto his heavenly home, Monday, August 29, 2022 at the age of 92. He was born on March 23, 1930, in Portsmouth, Ohio a son of James Howard and Dorcas (Briggs) Kelly.
Bill was a 1948 graduate of Chilliocothe High School in Ohio and went on to Ohio University for two years. He joined the United States Navy and served four years as a Seabee having been stationed in the jungle of the Philippines Islands and at Camp Zama, Japan. During his time in the service, he met the love of his life, Beth Almen, and they married on March 17, 1951 at Port Hueneme, California.
Following his time in the service, he returned to Ohio University and received a Civil Engineering Degree in January of 1957.
Bill went to work for E.I. Dupont Construction Division and worked in plants in Waynesboro, Virginia, Niagara Falls, New York, and Victoria, Texas. He was then transferred to Hamm, Germany, and later Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In 1972 he took retirement benefits and came to Elcho to join Builders Service with his father-in-law and their partners. Bill ran the engineering and surveying department. He was also the Langlade County Land Surveyor for 12 years. At age 72 he sold his business shares to his then-partner, Rodney Visser, and moved to Antigo.
Along the way, Bill and Beth raised four children who joined them on each of their wanderings and received such an education.
Following retirement Bill needed to stay busy. He joined the Antigo Optimist Club where he met many fine people and enjoyed being the Cheese Curd Wagon Chairman for many years. Due to an emergency, Bill took on the role of Langlade County Salvation Army Kettle Coordinator and as a result, the Salvation Army thrived and so did Bill. He attended Faith United Church of Christ and became active in the church food pantry, driving to Wausau twice a week to bring back food from the Salvation Army. He was active in the consolidation of the Antigo Pantries and his trips to Wausau continued for many years.
He was most proud of the community response to the Kettle Campaign. Bill always said "Antigo is the most compassionate and caring community I have ever lived in"
Bill was a 62-year member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He was past Master of the Crandon Lodge 287 several times as well as served the Wisconsin Grand Lodge as Area Administrator and District Deputy. He was an Order of the Eastern Star member and was a Past Patron of Jewel Chapter and Past Grand Patron of Wisconsin in 1993.
Bill was the recipient of the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow, Optimist Outstanding Service Award, Antigo First Volunteer Award, and in 2019 was named a Wisconsin Hometown Hero.
When Bill could not physically give anymore he gave the last thing he could by donating his body to the University of Wisconsin.
He was an avid Packer Fan and sat at Lambeau Field for many years. Bill cheered for the Milwaukee Brewers but his first love was the Cincinnati Reds. He also enjoyed attending all local sporting events. Bill loved to garden and grew vegetables and flowers.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Beth; four children, Christine (Ron) Rogillio of Edisto Island S.C. and Hurricane, W.V., Charles (Jean) Kelly of Clayton N.C., Clark (Lori) Kelly of Hamilton, Ohio, and Cavan (special friend Holly) Kelly of Antigo; a brother, Nick Kelly of Holladay, Utah; nine grandchildren, Brendan (Renee) Rogillio, Ashley Sanders, Jason Charles Kelly, Patrick Kelly, Adam Kelly, Travis Kelly, Chelsea (Jake) Sipe, Wm Ryan Kelly, and Padraic Kelly; five step-grandchildren, Heather, Amanda, Melissa, Jason, and Tommy; seven great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Roy and Mildred Almen; two sisters, Mary Jane and Bucki; and a grandson, Derek Rogillio.
Services will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Faith United Church of Christ at 6 p.m. beginning with a Masonic service followed by a memorial service officiated by Rev. Wes Jedras and concluding with Military Honors.
Those that cannot attend the service may watch live on the Bradley Funeral Home Facebook Page https://fb.me/e/4WqEyaPxb
Visitation will be Thursday at the church from 3 to 6 p.m.
The family requests no flowers, memorials in Bill's name may be directed to the Langlade County Salvation Army, 1630 N. Superior Street, Antigo, WI 54409.
A special thank you to Aspirus Palliative Care and Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their love and support for Bill and his family.
Tributes
"My condolences to the Kelly family. Prayers for Beth and your family. Kristine Flowers "
"Beth and family, my sincere condolences to you and your family. I remember both of you so well from my days in Elcho and have followed Bill's activities with the Salvation Army. He served well and dedicated his life to goodness. Carol S. LaMar"
"Our Condolences to the Kelly family. May Bill rest in peace and you find peace with our Lord and Savior in your time of grieving. Brenda and Gary Goerke"
"It was my pleasure to have served in several organizations that Bill was a leader. Bill loved and cared for people. He served his Country and his community well. I pray for comfort and peace for the Kelly Family. Pastor Glenn & Krystyna Dawson."
"We were bell ringers under Bill?s leadership when we lived in Antigo. What a dedicated person he was for all that he gave to the community!! We ring bells in our new community and talk often of the growth he brought to Antigo Salvation Army. May he RIP. "