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William Kelley Obituary
KELLEY M.D., William T.
Passed away peacefully with his family surrounding him on July 15, 2004, at the age of 78. Born October 29, 1925, to Stella Mudd Kelley and Lawrence Kelley in Sacramento. Great-grandson of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who set John Wilkes Booth's leg after Booth shot President Lincoln. William was the fifth generation of his family to practice medicine, a line of doctors going back to the Revolutionary War. After graduating from Christian Brothers High School, he graduated in 1949 from Santa Clara University, where the 6'6"-tall pre-med major was known to some as "Jumbo." Before graduating, he served for 2 years as a member of a U.S. Army peacekeeping force in France and Germany during World War II. He earned his medical degree from Creighton University in 1953, and returned to Sacramento to open a private medical practice in 1954. He practiced medicine in Sacramento for 50 years until his death. His thousands of patients remember him for his wry sense of humor, his large collection of cartoons cut from various newspapers or magazines and pinned to a bulletin board in his office, and, most of all, his dedication to his patients and his profession. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Molly; sons Joel Craig and his wife, Carol, Matt, and Thomas and his wife, Virginia; daughter Beth, her husband, Shawn, and their daughter, Fiona; brother, Richard and his wife, Roselene; niece Lisa, her husband, Chris, and their children Josh and Emma; nephew Kris and his wife, Jennifer; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his son, Steve, and his sister, Mary. He will be remembered and loved by his family as well as the thousands of patients he cared for during his half-century as a physician in Sacramento. Rosary at Nicoletti Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd., on Tues., July 20, at 7 p.m. Funeral at Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish, 3235 Arden Way, on Wed., July 21, at 10 a.m. Reception to follow funeral. Private burial. Memorials in lieu of flowers to Santa Clara University, Creighton University, or the charity of your choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Kelley
Lina Barrera
July 20, 2004
"Thank You, Dr. Kelley!"
He has taken care of all the Saldivar Family and Barrera Family with character and love. Thank You, So much for all your care, medical and personal. You will be missed so much. Thank You! "Shelley and Evelyn"
The Saldivar Family &
The Barrera Family!
sue olivas
July 20, 2004
Where do I begin of all the fond memories of Dr.Wm.T. Kelley MD has with our family. He has been my Doctor since I was 4 years old and he delivered my younger sister,Sherry, along with my "first born" daughter(katie). He took care of my grandparents Louie & Madge Olivas, my mother Fern Olivas ,my handicapped sister Sherry (right up our last visit on june 28th)He also took care of both of my daughters(katie & stephanie) as they were growing up and he even took care of my husband that hates to go to the doctor. So as you can see, Dr. Kelley had a great impact on our family for over 45 years. He was always there for me when ever I had a problem ( I mean "always there")He was a wonderful man,friend, and Doctor.Im not quite sure what we will do without out him, he will be greatly missed, not to mention his stories he always told when we would come in, even if we had heard them before it was still fun to listen to them again. I have 3 grandchildren and my oldest is 6 yrs old(Emily) and she loved to go to Dr. Kelleys office because it was fun and he gave her candy. Dr. Kelley, I will truly miss you with all my heart. Thank you so much for taking care of ALL of my family. We Love you! Love, Sue Olivas & Sherry Olivas
Maggie Breault
July 19, 2004
Dr. Kelley was larger-than-life, a true character, and an extremely good man. I am fortunate to have been in his care since childhood and to have witnessed his candor and ease as a physician.
Donald Burdan
July 19, 2004
Dr Kelly was the one who brought me and my 4 siblings (2 brothers and 2 sisters) into this world. He was are family Doctor for over 40 years with out him who knows where we would have been. He was a great man and a great personal doctor for me and my family, thank you
scott khatoonian
July 19, 2004
it all started 40 yrs ago when doc slapped me on the bottom . i remember doc kelley coming to my house in his station wagon when i was 5 .6 yrs old doc always had a joke for me and a story of sorts. william t kelley you will be truly missed by me and my family we loved you very much and you will always be in our hearts and memories for ever. god bless you .
Diane
July 19, 2004
To Beth, Your father literally saved my father's life in 1963 by getting him into the hospital and treatment at a critical time when noone else could get my father to do it. After my Dad pulled through, whenever I saw Dr. Kelley he would say that my father was his "guiding star." Dr. Kelley was the true guiding star. Throughout the years I saw him treat the folks without insurance when no other doctors would treat them. I also recall hearing that Dr. Kelley went to Viet Nam as a volunteer during the war to treat the soldiers. I fondly remember some of his unorthodox treatments, such as soaking my feet in some Tide detergent. He was a very loving man and a good Catholic. A good man has gone to meet his maker. May God bless you and your family and know that many people are grateful for your father's life.
Diane Anderson
July 18, 2004
Dr. Kelley was our family physician for many years. Thank you Dr. Kelley for helping to save the life of my father back in 1963. My prayers are with your family. I know you're in heaven.
Diane Anderson
Robert Daley
July 17, 2004
In 1963 Dr. Kelley brought me into this world. He was our family doctor for many years. I remember him being a kind and gentle person who enjoyed his work. My best to his family.
Lori (Francis) Hager
July 17, 2004
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kelley Family at this time. Dr. Kelley delivered me and my brother, and was our doctor throughout our childhood. And just before my brother got married, I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with my first child, he rest his hand on my stomach and said, "you are having a girl" and 3 weeks later we were blessed with a daughter. Our family has many fond memories of Dr. Kelley. He will be truly missed.
The Francis Family
Michael Bussone
July 16, 2004
Dr. Kelley was my physician in the mid to late 1970's. I always felt at ease in his presence and enjoyed his humor. He was a very kind man. My best to his family.
Andrew (Duke) Breault
July 16, 2004
My heart goes out to the family of Dr. William Kelley M.D. He will be sadley missed. Dr. Kelley was my Phys. since birth, as he was my 11 brother's & sister's too. Dr. Kelley had the true compasion for his patients, and the undying love of medicine. This is what set him apart from all other Doctors. To my children he was a giant, but a gentle one. I will miss our long talks in any one of his three rooms, or if real busy the both of us would just fit in the file/overflow room. Didn't matter, I always left his office feeling a hundred percent better than when I arrived. Dr. Kelley....I will miss you in ways never imagined. Your warm caring smile, and stories abound......I will miss you. Thank you for taking care of me so well, I will never forget my "Doc".
Andrew Breault
Michael Evans
July 16, 2004
As the Administrator of Mt. Olivette Meadows, I had the privilege of working with Bill Kelley for over 25 years serving our developmentally disabled patients. We are saddened by his passing and will remember him always with great respect and affection.
Mary Handley
July 16, 2004
I was a patient of Dr. Kelley since I was 13 years old. When I was due to deliver my first child, I went to his office in labor and told him-in a panic- that I wanted him to deliver my baby, that I wasn't leaving his office until he agreed! He was so funny-I must have looked like some kind of nut! He said he would be happy to drive me to Sutter Mem, help me into the maternity ward and be the pediatrician for my baby but could not deliver the package! Sure as he promised, he was johnny on the spot two days later when that baby came via C-Sec! When I had trouble nursing, he told me to drink beer! He took care of me, the kids, my parents, delivered my sisters kids....I have very fond memories of the stories he told of his family and of Molly-and still can see his face and Fran's. God be with all of you. We will miss him! They don't practice medicine like Dr. Kelley anymore.
Liz Gorgue
July 16, 2004
I am so sorry to hear this - my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Madonna Barlow
July 16, 2004
My youngest daughter was one of the last births Dr. Kelley attended. I always remember how happy he was when I would bring the girls in for their check-ups. It was very apparent that he loved children. He and his staff were always friendly and very helpful during the years we were with his practice. I am so grateful to have known this wonderful man. My best wishes to his family.
Sharon Higgins
July 16, 2004
May you be comforted by God and in the memories of the life you shared together.
Beth
July 16, 2004
William Kelley was my father, and he dedicated his life to the practice of medicine. If you have any stories about my father, his work as a doctor, or how he touched your life, the family would be grateful if you would share them here. Thanks.
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