William Alan Kelley (“Bill”) from Lynnwood, WA (born in Compton, CA) passed away on Friday, May 10th, 2024 at the age of 80. Even though he battled dementia in his later years, he never forgot his family or close friends.
Bill loved to play golf and go bowling. He had many bowling rings for perfect 300 games as well as 299 and 298. He loved watching crime dramas and pawn/antique shows. He also enjoyed watching sports including Seahawks Football, Mariners Baseball, PGA Golf Tournaments and later in life: UW Volleyball and Sounders Soccer.
The way to Bill’s heart was through food. He loved to eat, even in late stages of dementia. He loved sweets, especially ice cream (“dad size bowls”) and chocolates of all sorts. His favorite food was Italian spaghetti & meatballs and fish & chips. He also enjoyed making his famous meatloaf and pork chops marinated in cream of mushroom soup. For every family gathering, he would make trays of deviled eggs.
Bill also liked classic cars and going to car shows. He was most passionate about his 1967 red Pontiac GTO that he owned after his time in the service. He was also the president of WADD (Washington Association of Demolition Drivers). He enjoyed racing, wrecking and rebuilding cars.
Bill served three years in the Army while stationed in Germany as a Lieutenant’s driver. Then he spent a couple years in college. He worked in steel manufacturing at Pacific Western Fabricators and then Quality Control for boat and airplane parts at Hatch & Kirk and Royell Manufacturing.
Bill was a devoted son, father, grandfather and friend. He was committed to being available and ready whenever his loved ones had a care or need. This included:
• Giving rides.
• Accompanying people to doctor’s appointments.
• Helping people move.
• Taking care of grandchildren.
• Attending sporting events, concerts and theater performances for his kids & grandkids.
• Taking his daughter on summer vacations every year (especially to Seaside, Cannon Beach & Victoria BC).
• Caring for his elderly mother.
• Running errands for those sick or in need.
• Driving around town looking for his daughter’s stolen car.
Bill was generally a quiet man, but had a great sense of humor. His stomach would bounce in joyful laughter that was contagious to everyone around him. He enjoyed being silly to lighten the mood and make others laugh.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother Mary Alice Hill, his father William Archie Kelley, his step-father Kenneth Keene, his ex-wife/friend Nina McFarlane and his childhood best friend Geno Dell.
Bill is survived by his daughter Susan (“Suzie”) Kelley-Morse (husband Patrick & granddaughter Sierleja), as well as children he considered his own: Terri Carroll (husband Randy & grandchildren AJ, Brandon, Jon and Emily) and Ryan Uhlhorn (wife Amber & grandchildren Nicholas and Nathan).
A graveside memorial with military honors will be held at Cypress Lawn Memorial on June 28th for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you donate the gift of time to someone you love in honor of Bill’s commitment to his loved ones. Consider having a large bowl of ice cream in memory of him.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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