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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Willie Russell Kelley
Willie Russell
Kelley
Jun 25, 1925 — May 9, 2013
Willie Russell Kelley's Obituary
Willie R. Kelley, age 87, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2013 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Missouri. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton, Missouri. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Missouri with a graveside service at 3:00 P.M. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com
Willie was born June 25, 1925 in Carrollton, Missouri the son of Noel and Lena (Stark) Kelley. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving his country in World War II. Willie was awarded several medals including the American Theater Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He retired from ARMCO Steel in 1983 after working there for 34 years. He was a former Tightwad Fire Chief and also a former Mayor of Tightwad. Willie was a member of the United Steel Workers Union-Local 13. He was the Scoutmaster of Troop 21 for many years and was in Tribe of the Mic-O-Say as an Honorary Warrior. His Boy Scout tribal name was "Big Swift Rolling Blue Steel." Willie also liked to restore John Deere tractors.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, John David Kelley, Eugene Kelley, and Floyd Melvin Kelley.
Willie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Laura of the home; son, Buddy Kelley (Deborah) of Lee's Summit, Missouri; daughter, Betty Jo Hollon (Stanley) of Independence, Missouri; sister, Beaulah May Wright of Norborne, Missouri; 4 grandchildren, Shawn Hollon, Richard Kelley, Justin Kelley and Junior Hollon; 4 great-grandchildren, Jacinda Kelley, Jasmine Kelley, Avery Hollon, Mason Hollon, as well as one great-grandchild on the way.
Services have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.
Willie was born June 25, 1925 in Carrollton, Missouri the son of Noel and Lena (Stark) Kelley. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving his country in World War II. Willie was awarded several medals including the American Theater Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He retired from ARMCO Steel in 1983 after working there for 34 years. He was a former Tightwad Fire Chief and also a former Mayor of Tightwad. Willie was a member of the United Steel Workers Union-Local 13. He was the Scoutmaster of Troop 21 for many years and was in Tribe of the Mic-O-Say as an Honorary Warrior. His Boy Scout tribal name was "Big Swift Rolling Blue Steel." Willie also liked to restore John Deere tractors.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, John David Kelley, Eugene Kelley, and Floyd Melvin Kelley.
Willie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Laura of the home; son, Buddy Kelley (Deborah) of Lee's Summit, Missouri; daughter, Betty Jo Hollon (Stanley) of Independence, Missouri; sister, Beaulah May Wright of Norborne, Missouri; 4 grandchildren, Shawn Hollon, Richard Kelley, Justin Kelley and Junior Hollon; 4 great-grandchildren, Jacinda Kelley, Jasmine Kelley, Avery Hollon, Mason Hollon, as well as one great-grandchild on the way.
Services have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.
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