William Arthur Kelly Jr.

Bill Kelly passed away at his home in Oakmont, California on Monday, October 24, 2011. Born in Akron, Ohio on February 1, 1928 to William Arthur Kelly, Sr. and Margaret Hine Kelly, Bill grew up in Akron and attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. Involved in government, swimming and choir, Bill graduated as valedictorian in 1945 and matriculated at Yale University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1949. After attending Harvard Law School for a year, Bill answered the call to ministry, enrolling in Boston University School of Theology . In 1951 he married Carolyn ("Lynn") Hartman. When Bill received his degree in Sacred Theology from B.U. the couple moved to Scotland where he was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Edinburgh. Carolyn Hartman Kelly passed away from cancer in 1955. Bill was ordained into the Congregational Christian Church (now the United Church of Christ) in 1954 at Storrs, Connecticut and became Associate Chaplain at the University of Connecticut. There he met Karen Maaske Bradshaw and after she graduated the two married in 1957. In 1959 the couple moved to Madurai, India as missionaries for the World Council of Churches and the Church of South India. Bill and Karen lived in south India for 11 years and raised four children. In India, Bill served as Chaplain at American College in Madurai, from 1959 until 1968, and then as faculty at United Theological College in Bangalore, from 1968 to 1970. In 1970 the family returned to the United States and settled in Carmel Valley, California. Bill and Karen divorced in 1980 In the 1970's Bill studied at The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and then embarked on a career in marriage and family counseling, in part drawn by his personal experiences. He established a practice on the Monterey Peninsula, and served as Dean of the American Academy of Family Studies in Scotts Valley, California. In 1982 Bill married Karen K. Krestensen, and the two lived in Scotts Valley for almost thirty years. Through much of the 1980's Bill was Treasurer, Board member and for three years President of Avanta, a worldwide network of family therapists founded by his longtime mentor, friend and colleague, Virginia Satir. In 1988, Bill returned to the pulpit as an Interim Minister for the United Church of Christ. His interim engagements, usually nine months to two years, included Carmel Valley Community Chapel, Garfield Park Christian Church, Waiokeola Congregational Church in Honolulu and Orinda Community Church, among others. Bill marked his 66th year with an Outward Bound course, sailing in the San Juan Islands. To the end of his life Bill continued his Christian studies and fellowship. After long interest in the Protestant Episcopal Church, Bill in 2004 was ordained to its priesthood at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in San Jose, California. In 2008 Bill Kelly and Karen Krestensen moved to Oakmont, California in the Sonoma Valley. They were warmly welcomed in their new community, where Bill was occasionally a guest preacher. In the past year he and Karen enjoyed trips to Madrid, Arcata and Big Sur to see family and dear friends. Bill is survived by his wife of 29 years, Karen Krestensen; his seven children and stepchildren and many grandchildren: Christopher Kelly (Margaret Shepherd-Kelly), Linda and William; Peter Kelly (April Wagner Kelly), Miles and Rachel; Rani Kelly-Hagan (Don Hagan), Allison Kelly and Faith Hagan; David Kelly; Holly Hochhauser (Joe Hochhauser), Sam and Zack; Julie Craig (Darrin Craig), Will, Hailey and Hayden; Rob Hicks (Sherri Hicks), Jaime and Roslyn Pounders; as well as by his close nephew Robert Kelker Kelly (Miriam Parrish), Amelia; and many friends and other family. He will be missed by all, and remembered fondly for his gifts, including his sensitivity, deep kindness and intellect. Services will be held on Wednesday, November 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Episcopal Church, 9000 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 94925. In lieu of flowers, if you wish you may donate to St. Patrick's, or to St. Phillip's Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.