William J. Kelly, 88, of Golden Hill Nursing Home, formerly of W. Moody Ave., passed away peacefully of natural causes at 1:45 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, in Jameson Hospital.
Born in New Castle on June 15, 1921, he was a son of William Ignatius and Margaret Murphy Kelly.
His wife, the former Kathleen Smith, whom he married on Sept.17, 1955, passed away on Aug. 11, 2003.
A lifelong area resident, he graduated from New Castle High School and was known as “Butch” in his early years and was a standout baseball player. He worked as a machinist for more than 35 years and was employed by both the B&O;, and the Lackawanna Railway companies. He retired in 1981.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church.
A decorated veteran of World War II, he served in the Army with the 83 Chemical Mortar Battalion in the European Theater of Operations in Anzio, Italy.
He enjoyed gardening, bowling, rooting for his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, and creating artwork with Plastic Canvas.
A volunteer, he taught adult literacy classes for the New Castle Library and was an escort for Jameson Hospital for several years.
Survivors include two daughters, Margaret M. Figuly and her husband Thomas, of New Castle, and Mary Theresa Hartline and her husband David, of Columbus, Ohio; two sons, William J. Kelly II of Louisville, Ky. and Stephen P. Kelly and his wife Faith of New Castle; three sisters, Marjorie Baxter and her husband Harry E., Claire Churchill and Dolores Kelly, all of New Castle. He will be sadly missed by eight grandchildren, Thomas Hartline, Alex, Brady, Christopher, and Caitlyn Figuly, Cheryl and Christopher Kelly, and Stephanie Kelly.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine Kelly and Mary Dutzer.
Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 111 W. Falls St.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary Church with the Rev. Victor J. Molka, pastor, as celebrant.
Condolences may be sent by visiting the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com Internment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery with full military honors provided by the New Castle Area Veterans Honor Guard.
