William R. Kelly, Sr.

WILLIAM ROSS KELLY, SR., age 97, a retiree from the Martin Marietta Corp. and from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, passed away February 21, 2005 in Bel Air, MD. He was born October 13, 1907 in Bladen County, North Carolina, the sixth of ten children born to John Nathan Kelly and Catherine Isabelle Davis Kelly. He graduated from Bladenboro High School and attended North Carolina State College with a major in Architectural Engineering. William married Velma Asenath Wheeler of High Point, North Carolina on December 24, 1928. He lived most of his life in Baltimore County, MD prior to moving to Bel Air, in December 2001 to be closer to family.
He was a member for 46 years at University Baptist Church in Baltimore, where he served as a Deacon, Trustee, and Sunday school teacher.

William was preceded in death by Velma, his wife of nearly 64 years; and by his brothers, Harvey Nathan Kelly, James Elisha Kelly, John Nathan Kelly, and Edgar Hal Kelly; and by sisters, Jessie Belle Lennon, Maude Frink, Fannie Evans, and Pattie Meta Kelly. He is survived by a sister, Ada Grace Penelope Kelly Bartley of Bladenboro, North Carolina.

William and Velma are survived by four children and their families. Those living in Bel Air, MD area are Velma Joan Kelly, Carolyn Ross Kelly Youngberg and husband, Dean A. Youngberg; and William Ross Kelly, Jr. and his wife, Joan Anne McMahon Kelly. Barbara Jean Kelly Horsley and her husband, Russell Dewey Horsley, live in Covington, Kentucky. Family members include 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and a step-great-granddaughter. By his immediate family, William is affectionately known as Pop.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the memorial fund of University Baptist Church at 3501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-2499.