William J. Kelly, Jr.

  William (Bill) J. Kelly, Jr., age 104, passed away the afternoon of November 29, 2024, at his home in Weatherford, Texas. He was born September 12, 1920, in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, to William J. Sr. and Josephine (Bell) Kelly. He was the oldest of five children. 

  Bill attended the University of Notre Dame for one year before marrying the love of his life, Elizabeth (Bette) Tomlinson, on March 4, 1941. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in June 1943, joining the 8th Air Force, 95th Bombardment Group, 412th Squadron. His squadron was one of the first to fight in Germany, with Bill in the position of navigator for 18 missions. He served overseas in the European Theater until December 1945. Before leaving Europe, his crew was tasked with dropping food and other supplies into areas of France and Belgium. Hemwas discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant, and returned home to his family to become a welder for the Elizabeth Marine Ways. 

  In 1949, he built the family home in Green Tree, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Pittsburgh), where his six children were raised. Bill later became self employed as an insurance adjuster, and also worked with his wife, Bette, in various sales-oriented businesses. 

  Bill moved with his family to Weatherford, Texas, in 1979. He eventually opened his business, Accent on Hearing, and sold hearing aids. He loved to work with the community, and finally retired at the age of 85. After retiring, Bill enjoyed traveling. Besides visiting numerous places all over the United States, he went to Italy twice, with a highlight being a mass at St. Peter's Basilica with Pope John Paul II officiating. France, England, and Jamaica for his grandson's wedding were other international destinations. This past June, he attended the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of D-Day in Normandy, France, with many WWII and other veterans. While there, he attended ceremonies on Utah and Omaha beaches. 

  At home, Bill loved getting together with family, good meals (at home and dining out), spending time with friends, filling his photo albums and scrapbooks, sipping hot tea and watching Perry Mason and Gunsmoke. He also looked forward to his monthly luncheon with the Roll Call veterans group, and many other veteran events. 

  Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Bette; parents, four siblings; son, Dan Kelly; daughter, Peg Kelly (Theobald); grandson, Tom Theobald; and special friend, Evelyn Gray. 

  Survivors include his sons, Larry Kelly, Bob Kelly and Bill Kelly; daughter, Beth Bovio and husband, Steve; grandchildren, Jennifer (Kelly) and Jim Silveira and their children, Abby and David, Debbie (Kelly) Schloth and her partner, Jeffry Cooper, and her children, Jordan and Jesse Hart, and Justin, Kim (Kelly) and Wes Warren and their children, Kelly and Noah, Brian Kelly and his daughter, Gwen, and his fiancé, Tabitha King, Stephen and Robin Kelly, Janet (Kelly) and Jon Marshall and their children, Kelly, Robin and Andrew, Joe Theobald, Katelynn Theobald, Michele (Theobald) and Lucas Elwell, Heather (Theobald) and Terry Shook and their children, Haley, Hannah, Madelyn and Matthew, Erin Kelly, David and Gina Kelly, Kenneth Patterson, Dustin Patterson and partner, Caden and their son, Sean; half brother, Pat and wife, Peggy Kelly, and half sisters, Marie Kelly and Christine Short; sister-in-law, Helen Kelly; chosen family, Gregory and Tammy (Gray) Gullion and their sons, Grayson and Garrett; and very special friends, Greg and Julie Lynch and their sons, Austin and Travis, Bill and Wanda Black, Joe Floyd and Terra Emerson; and many, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 

  Bill always said he was shooting for 110 because he liked it here. We liked him here, too. He was very loved and loved everyone back. We have all been spoiled and very blessed to have him in our lives for so long. We miss him and will always remember his sense of humor and many stories he had to tell.

  A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 14, 2024, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1802 Bethel Rd., Weatherford, Texas 76086, with a reception to follow in the Holy Spirit Center next to the church. All are welcome to attend both the Mass and reception. 

  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bill's name to your favorite charity.