William "Bill" Ellsworth Kelley, 91, of Junction City, Kansas died on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.
The family will receive friends 5:00-6:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2024 at the Johnson Funeral Home. Per his wishes, cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at the Junction City Church of the Nazarene (JCNAZ) with Pastor Mark Hatcher officiating. A private graveside service will follow the service at Highland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to be given to the Junction City Church of the Nazarene.
He was born on June 2, 1932, on a farm near Norcatur, Kansas to Claude and Dorothy (Davidson) Kelley. Bill served as Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol for nearly twenty five years. As a State of Kansas Trooper, he served areas in Holton, Atwood, Goodland and Junction City, Kansas. He later served as an Undersheriff with Geary County for twelve years. Bill served in the United States Army. Later he served in the Kansas National Guard retiring as an E-7 after twenty years of service. He also attended Kansas State University and was an active member of the Junction City Church of the Nazarene. Bill was a member of the Masonic Lodge #42 AF & AM, Kansas Peace Officers Association and Kansas State Troopers Association.
On May 4, 1957, he married Betty June Heilman at Fort Collins, Colorado. She died in 2022. William is survived by his loving sons, Brian Kelley of Norcatur, Kansas, Mark Kelley of Dodge City, Kansas, Brad (Susan) Kelley of Perris, California, Troy (Diana) Kelley of Shawnee, Kansas; Daughter-In-Law, Jana Kelley of Cypress, Texas; three granddaughters, Claire (Aaron) Elson of Cypress, Texas, Bailey (Aaron) Heinrich of Perris, California, Courtney Kelley of Perris, California; Two Grandsons, Zachary Lyman of Perris, California, Lance Kelley of Shawnee, Kansas; Two Great-Granddaughters, Lilly, Evelyn; one brother, Dick (Donna) Kelley; two sisters, Carolyn Plotts, Katherine Vanzandt; one sister-in-law, Linda Kelley.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty June Kelley; one daughter, Susan Renae Kelley; one son, Doug Kelley; three brothers, Robert, Donald and James Kelley.