William Barnard Kelly

Phoenix - Barney was born December 1, 1949.

He grew up in Shaker Heights, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of Doctor Donald Alanson and Mildred Kelly. "Doc" Kelly was a surgeon at Case Western Reserve, and was also the team doctor for the Cleveland Indians and Browns. Barney never missed a football or baseball game, and had many autographed souvenirs!

Barney went to Hawkins School in Cleveland and Deveaux Prep school in Niagara Falls. His parents moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where Barney attended the University of Wyoming.

His first job was with Marriott World Travel touring retired doctor groups around Europe. In 1974, he joined Marriott Hotels as a sales director at the Key Bridge Marriott in Washington, D.C. where he met his future wife, Biffie, who also worked for the company. He then led sales efforts at Marriott Hotels in Chicago, Boston and Santa Barbara. From Santa Barbara, Barney returned to DC to run the Washington National Sales office where he and Biffie reunited and married in 1983. He later worked for Sheraton Hotels and La Quinta Inns. In his professional capacity, Barney served as the President of the Arizona Hotel & Motel Association along with other various industry organizations.

When Biffie and Barney retired, they traveled to all the places on their bucket lists. Barney was charming and friendly. His greatest joy in life came from bringing laughter and happiness to others.

Barney is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Biffie), sons Christopher Patrick (Chris) and William Robert (Robbie), daughter-in-law Katie, sister Mary and family. There will be a private Celebration of Life.

Contributions may be maybe made in Barney's memory to the Arizona Humane Society, Alzheimer's Foundation or the charity of your choice.