William D Kelley

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 72 years Helen Kelley (Hall); his sons, Ron (Yvonne) Kelley Ga., Brian

Kelley TX, and Glen (Sherry) Kelley, Fl; nine Grandchildren, Tracie (Peter) Flores, Wendy (Bruce) Maslin ,

LTC Patrick (Andrea) Kelley, Michael (Sarah) Kelley, LTC Douglas (Bobbi) Kelley, James Kelley, Ashley

(Dylan) Lee , Megan Kelley, and Mathew Kelley; nine Great Grandchildren, Addison Kelley, Lincoln Kelley, Kelley (Jacob) Stanbrough, Kody (Ale) Flores , Bruce Maslin IV, Makayla Maslin, Nolan Kelley, Lenora Kelley and Eli Greil (step), and Great-Great Grandchild Rae’Lyn Stanbrough. He is predeceased by his parents Albert and Madelene Kelley of Wallingford, VT, daughter Pamela (Ronald) Hughes and daughter in-law Elizabeth Kelley.

Bill was born in Rutland, Vt. On 25 March 1930, the only child of Albert H. and Madeline Holden Kelley. He was raised on the S. Wallingford family farm until attending the University of Vermont, graduating in

1952 with a Bachelor of Sciences degree and commissioned in the U.S. Army as an Infantry 2Lt. In 1951, Bill married his HS sweetheart Helen E. Hall and they raised a wonderful family and remained happily married for the remainder of his life.

Col Kelley proudly served his country as a commissioned officer from 1952-1974. He served in both the

Korea and Vietnam conflicts during which he earned several awards and decorations including the

Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal with Valor (13), Distinguished Flying Cross,

Meritorious Service Medal, and most notably the Silver Star for his heroic actions in combat while

Battalion Commander 1/6th Infantry Bn., 198th Infantry Brigade. He is a graduate of the US Army

Airborne, Jumpmaster and Ranger qualification programs, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, and the Defense Procurement and Management Course.

Peacetime assignments Included ROTC instructor at Providence College, Florida Ranger Camp at Eglin AFB, Ranger Department HQ, Ft. Benning, Ga, 8th Inf Div, Mainz, Germany, USAARMC Ft. Knox, Ky, eventually retiring as the Executive Officer and Advisor to the Secretary of the Army in 1974 in the rank of Colonel.

After military retirement Bill raised his family in Sterling, Va, owning and operating Sterling Antiques and Curios and enjoying his many other hobbies and pastimes including youth sports, bowling, and woodworking. Bill is a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. In 2019, Bill and Helen moved to the Conservatory, an Independent Living facility in Keller, Tx so they could be closer to family.