William McKelvy

William Charles McKelvy, more affectionately known as Mr. Bill, passed into the presence of Jesus on Sunday, June 5, 2022. He was 66 years old.

The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Humphrey Funeral Home. Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at First Baptist Church of Russellville, live-streamed from www.fbcruss.org. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville.

Bill was born July 1, 1955, in Paris, to the late William Gilmer McKelvy and the late Delores Jean McKelvy.

Bill is survived by his wife, Shelia McKelvy; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Tim McKelvy and his wife Dr. Rachel McKelvy of Rogers, and Philip and Meredith McKelvy of Little Rock; Mr. Bill was also the proud Poppa of three grandchildren, Will (5), Claire (4), and Isaac (born June 3, 2022).

Bill is preceded in death by his parents; and a niece, Elizabeth Ann Reed.

Mr. Bill graduated from Paris High School in 1973, and attended his beloved University of Central Arkansas in Conway from 1973-1978. He earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemistry and a Master's of Science Degree in Physical Science.

Mr. Bill met the love of his life, Shelia (Griffith) McKelvy, in a college Sunday school class at 2nd Baptist Church in Conway. They were married on May 24, 1980.

Bill started his career as a chemist for the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock in 1980. In 1981, he moved to Russellville to begin working for Entergy, formerly Arkansas Power and Light Company. In his 35 years with the company, Bill was a Chemist, Safety Concerns Coordinator, Nuclear Radiation Control, Employee Concerns Coordinator, and Employee Concerns Fleet Manager.

Mr. Bill was also part of a 3-week special inspection team sent to Romania to support the Romanian Government in building and development of their own nuclear power plant. In 2003, Bill received the highest award given by Entergy, the Entergy CEO Award. He retired in February of 2016.

Mr. Bill made as much time as possible to volunteer in his community. Bill was heavily involved with the Russellville Youth Baseball Association, helping with the draft coaching various teams his boys played on. He was also the President of the Cyclone Football Booster Club, and was instrumental in helping raise support to turn Cyclone Fieldhouse into what it is today.

Mr. Bill taught Kindergarten Sunday School at First Baptist Church for 32 years with his wife. He also helped to start the Upward Basketball Program and coached in it for 10 years. He worked for 20 years in the AWANA program, and took vacation days to serve in one of his favorite times of the year – Vacation Bible School. Bill served the church as deacon, moderator and the personnel committee.

Memorial donations to Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE First Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131; or Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090.

The family would like to thank Kelsey Hirtler with Home Health; Ashely Thompson and Mark Gatewood with Hospice Home Care; and Delena Wright with Home Instead for helping us take good care of Mr. Bill.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.