Billy Kelley Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Billy Kelley
Start: 2022-10-14T10:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-10-14T11:00:00.000Z
Location: Calvary Church

Billy K. Kelley, age 90, of Longmont died Sunday September 18, 2022 at Atria Assisted Living Center. Billy was born in Dyersburg, Tenn on November 14, 1931 and grew up on the family farm. He was active in FFA during his high school years and showed Duroc hogs in local county fairs and State Fairs, winning many champion ribbons with his projects. When he sold his hog herd, he gave the money to his mother so she could purchase the living room furniture she had not been able to afford. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951, proudly serving his country for 10 years before being honorably discharged in 1961. It was while on a weekend pass from his base in Cheyenne, Wyoming that he met his wife-to-be (JoAnne Thomas) at the Elitch Gardens dance pavilion. His service duty included stationing in Okinawa. He married JoAnne Thomas of Longmont on January 24, 1952. They settled in Hygiene at the end of his military service and started farming again. He further supported his family with various other jobs including as an insurance agent, railroad brakeman, and manufacturing. In 1967 he went to work for IBM, filling many duties ranging from warehousing, inventory control, to Global Distribution Specialist. He retired from IBM in 1991 and returned to his other passions which were raising hogs for several more years, fishing, hunting, and gardening. At one time his garden was an acre of gladiolas. Some of his favorite times were spent with family and grand-kids, and outdoor activities with his buddies Lyle, Jerry, and Marvin. Billy is survived by one brother Gene Paul (Jane) Kelley of N. Carolina; two daughters, Karen (Rich) Hamilton of Berthoud and Anne (Fred) Miller of Longmont; two sons, Michael Kelley of Longmont and David (Cindy) Kelley of Longmont; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnne, on Nov 18, 2014; his son Ronald Kelley and grandson Jeffrey Kelley; three sisters and three brothers. His parents were William and Ola Bee (Palmer) Kelley. No visitation is scheduled. Services will be at 10:00 am Friday, October 14, 2022 at Calvary Baptist Church in Longmont, with Pastor Lane Hardy officiating. Cremation burial will be at Foothills Gardens of Memory Cemetery with full military honors provided my American Legion Post 32. Memorial contributions may be made to Tru Community Care Hospice c/o Carroll-Lewellen Funeral & Cremation Services, 503 Terry St., Longmont, 80501.

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Published by Longmont Times-Call on Sep. 25, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Billy Kelley

8 Entries

Mike Curry

January 13, 2023

We travel in and out of good people's lives and somehow forget to tell them what a wonderful friend they are. We will never forget our dear friend Bill. Mike & Bev Curry.

Pat Cushman Turner and Ramona

Planted Trees

Art and Therese Winterbauer

October 14, 2022

My wife and I were introduced to Mr. Kelley by his son, and our neighbor, Dave. Our visits with Mr. Kelley were usually brief as he was typically seeing what Dave was doing. We feel as though we know him through Dave's stories. RIP Bill Kelley.

Stephanie (Prather) Trotter

October 13, 2022

My name is Stephanie (Prather) Trotter, my Dad, Mel Prather, meet Bill while they both worked at IBM. They became fast friends and would meet for a cup of coffee on a regular basis which usually consisted with friendly teasing about who´s turn it was to buy (keep in mind a cup of coffee cost 10 cents back then).

Dad quickly learned that Bill raised pigs which resulted in my brother and myself becoming regular buyers as 4-H kids. My fondest memories of my youth involve Mr Kelly. The first year I was in 4-H Bill announced he would refund the money of the pig if the pig won Grand Champion and half if it won Reserve Grand Champion. That year, I was fortunate to win both Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion at the Boulder County Fair. First time in the Fair´s history that ever happened! Not sure who was more proud, Mr Bill, me, or my Parents! I was hooked from then on and bought Kelly hogs every year after. My last year in 4-H I won Grand Champion again with another Kelly hog!

Bill would come to the Fair and support us kids and he and his wife Jo, would always be there the night we showed. He often would enter his breeding stock in the Open Class and would cash in himself on ribbons. One year he had 2 pigs in the same show class and needed someone to show one of them for him and he asked me to help him out. I was so honored that he asked me to show one of his pigs.

When I learned Bill had passed away thoughts of all my 4-H years came flooding back and just made me think all those memories included Bill. He was the kind of guy that made us kids care about what he thought of us. We behaved our best when he was around because it mattered. If he saw us doing something we shouldn´t, he would let us know about. I really think our Kids need more Bill Kelly´s in World.

My prayer is that God grant Bill´s Family, Peace and comfort at this time. Heaven got the best pig farmer there ever was!

The Mel Prather Family

Barbara Sanford

September 28, 2022

Loved visiting with Bill and Jo for many years.Bill worked for my husband at IBM and they became off-site friends as well. Our children showed several Kelley hogs in 4-H.Bill and Ed loved to swap fishing and hunting stories...all very true, of course! This world lost a good guy but what a joyful reunion when Bill and Jo were reunited once again!

Mike Loukonen

September 26, 2022

My memories of Bill was when Mike and I were best buddies in high school. We were "very good kids" that sometimes went a stray and maybe did something stupid. We would have to have a talk with Mr.Bill, we were shaking in our boots. But after a stern talking to
he would direct us on the straight and narrow. He was a wise dad to us and had some very nice pigs.