William Turner Kelley, 97

February 24, 1927 - September 22, 2024

William Turner Kelley, 97, formerly of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Sept. 22, 2024, at Washington Hospital, Washington, PA.

Bill was born on Feb. 24, 1927, in Cleveland, the son of Arlan and Virginia Turner Kelley.

At the age of 17, Bill enlisted in the Merchant Marine during World War II, serving as a radio operator on Liberty ships, mainly in the Pacific area. Upon returning home, he attended and graduated from Bethany College in 1950. He then began a long career at RCA but he was called back into military service during the Korean War. Bill served in the Army’s Security Agency for three years and was stationed in Japan.

He then returned to RCA, working in Harrison, N.J., as a project manager. He met his wife, Irene Wester Kelley, who was a production line supervisor at the plant. They were married on June 2, 1956, in Newark, N.J. Bill and Irene moved to Lancaster about ten years later, with two children.

The Kelleys were active in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, with Bill serving as a former church treasurer.

Bill retired from RCA in 1987.

Irene suffered through a decade of health problems, succumbing to lung cancer in 2009, with Bill as a dedicated and loving caregiver.

Bill became active in WWII and Korean War veterans groups in Lancaster, serving as president of the Gen. John H. Michaelis Post #327 Korean War Veterans Association for several years. Bill and Irene traveled throughout the country attending military reunions.

Bill also was a longtime volunteer with the Lancaster Office on Aging, serving as an ombudsman. He visited local nursing homes and group homes, helping to protect the care and rights of patients. He served on county and state committees with the Office of Aging. His work was noted when he was named the Pennsylvania Ombudsman of the Year.

When his health began to deteriorate earlier this year, he moved in with his daughter and her husband in Wellsburg, W.V., and eventually into an assisted living home in Washington, PA.

Bill was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor. He will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by his son, Bruce, on May 25, 2024.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandy, and her husband, Mark, of Wellsburg; daughter-in-law, Nancy Kelley, of Hollywood, FL; and two grandchildren, Megan and Sean, both of Florida.

Bill’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes placed next to his wife at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2024, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 301 St. Thomas Road, Lancaster, with military honors to follow. Friends will be received beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the church. A luncheon will follow in the church’s hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project.