Obituaries

In Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite, WWII Vet, Bill Kelly, 98

Former Longtime Rumsonite and World War II U.S. Army veteran William J. “Bill” Kelly passed away peacefully on Jan. 21 following a brief illness. He was 98.

Bill Kelly
Photo/family via Thompson Memorial Home

“Bill and (his wife) Jean lived in Rumson for 60 years. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on August 2, 2022 with their children and large extended family. For 60 years, Bill was a parishioner and usher at the Church of the Nativity. He was a charter member of the Red Bank Kiwanis Club and a member for 50 years. He was among the adult leaders of
Boy Scout Troop 200 in Rumson.”

Loved ones of Bill Kelly in his obituary

Bill was born on December 24, 1924, in Red Bank.

“Truly a member of WWII’s “Greatest Generation,” Bill joined the United States Army shortly after his 18th birthday and served in Gen. Patton’s 3rd Army, 286th Field Artillery Observation, B Battery, Flash Platoon. He was at the Battle of the Bulge and remained in Germany for the Occupation. The members of his unit remained lifelong friends.”

Upon his return to Red Bank, always home, he met and married Jean Louise McConnell, “the love of his life.”

After the war, Bill became part of the family’s J.H. Kelly Company, an automotive parts distributor with stores in Red Bank, Toms River, Belmar, Freehold, and Hazlet. He was president of the company from 1967 until the family closed the business in 1984. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States and Europe and had a special love for Alaska.

Bill was predeceased by: his parents, Edward M. and Helen Carr Kelly; his sisters, Margaret Gibson, Josephine Schissler, Helen Shute; and his brothers, Edward and John Kelly.

He is survived by: his wife, Jean M. Kelly; his children, Jill (Paul) Drew, Jeffrey (Mary) Kelly, Janet (Fred) Lundquist, and Joy (Gregory) Stiles; his eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his younger sister, Mary Beth Kelly Fricano, of Arlington, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of Brandywine at the Gables in Brick, NJ, where Bill and Jean enjoyed assisted living. The family also thanks the medical staff of Hackensack Meridian Medical Center and St. Dominic Church for their kindnesses.

There will be a Memorial Gathering at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, on Friday, Feb. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m.. A mass of christian burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven, at noon on Saturday, Feb. 4.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Special Olympics, or the charity of your choice. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home