Billy "Bill" Kelley

Billy Kelley was born April 16, 1936, in Wichita, Kansas, to Maddy A. (Liggett) Kelley and Edmond E. Kelley. Bill passed away on September 12, 2024, at the age of 88 after a very short battle with congestive heart failure. He departed this earthly life on his own terms, happily choosing to forgo continued treatments in the hospital. He spent his last day surrounded by his children, grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law. It was a day filled with laughter-as only he would have it-peacefulness and love. He is preceded in death by both parents, his brother, Jack Kelley and sister Cherry (Kitchen) Howe. He is survived by his sister, Madge (Kelley) Arnold, his children, Laurie Kelley-Briggs, Doug Kelley (Cindy), Eric Kelley (Mandy) and Gretchen Kelley; grandchildren, John Eric Kelley, Emma Kelley, Katelyn Kelley, and William “Billy” Briggs, as well as many nieces and nephews. Bill grew up in Wichita, and after graduating from East High School in 1954, he entered the United States Navy and served as Chief Petty Officer aboard the USS Namakagon, stationed in the South Pacific out of Pearl Harbor. After leaving the Navy, he returned to Wichita and went to work for the Dillons Grocery Co. as a store manager. Bill married Wilma Bishop in 1959, they set up house in Wichita and started a family. A man with a great entrepreneurial spirit, in 1965 he moved his family to Hutchinson, Kansas, to become a franchisee for Kentucky Fried Chicken. For 10 years he owned and operated two KFC restaurants in Hutch, as well as a small restaurant called the Brat and Burger. After selling his restaurants in the late 70’s, Bill became a custom contractor; he was known for his fine craftsmanship and beautiful finish work in homes and businesses throughout the Hutchinson area. In 1984 Bill and his partner, Richard Robl, started Solar Utilization, Inc. Bill designed, built and installed the Alpha III solar panel that became one of the three top rated panels in the nation. He finished his career as the General Manager for SpaceWorks Inc. Bill and his team designed and developed museum exhibits and restored historic aerospace vessels and artifacts for The Kansas Cosmosphere, The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and NASA. In 1994 and 95 Bill enjoyed working on the Oscar winning film Apollo 13, building replica sets and costumes for the movie. He retired from SpaceWorks in 1999. Bill loved his family above all else. He was a man of great compassion, kindness, and known for his always present sense of humor. He understood the power and importance of laughter and kept a small plaque on his desk that said, “Laughter is God’s hand on the shoulders of a troubled world.” He believed in his faith, his family and fishing--- and relied on all three to see him through the ups and downs of life. He could build anything, fix anything and taught his children that there is always a way to figure things out, no matter how difficult the task or the trouble you may face. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. Funeral services for Bill will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, in the chapel at Downing & Lahey Funeral Home, 10515 W. Maple St. Wichita, KS 67209. Burial to follow at Kechi Township Cemetery, 6523 N. Hillside Avenue, Park City, KS 67219