William L. Kelly

William Levi Kelly Sr., son of the late Mr. Levi and Isabelle C. (Woods) Kelly, was born on September 9, 1922 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was educated in parochial schools St. Barnabas, St. Catherine's Academy (St. Pius) and Baltimore City's Frederick Douglass High School. He graduated from high school then attended dental school at Howard University in Washington D.C. He was a lifetime member of St. Pius Roman Catholic Church, where he served as an altar boy in his youth. God's angel visited him on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 and took him home to be with his Lord. On October 8, 1942 William Levi Kelly Sr. was united in holy matrimony at St. Pius Catholic Church to his childhood sweetheart, the late Rinthia E. West (affectionately called "Sis"). Out of this union six children were born: William Jr. (Gig); Pamela (Pam); Michele (Ivy), Colin (Poncho); Pia and Maria. They were truly childhood sweethearts; they met in elementary school and literally shared the rest of their lives together. Rinthia preceded him in death on December 18, 2002. Ever since her death, he would often tell people how much he missed her and how alone he felt without her. He never missed Sunday Mass or Wednesday Novena. He always had words of advice for everyone he met, especially the young folks, he would say "Don't get 82 and don't retire early, it's boring". He would then give advice on how to plan for retirement. He was a member of the Rubber Ducks Athletic Club where he excelled in baseball and basketball. He was team captain of the Rubber Ducks basketball team, where he exercised his authority and kicked his younger brother Vernon from the team. Vernon continues to this day, saying, "I do not know why. I know I could play". He was the second oldest of four brothers - Wilbur, Vernon and Joseph (Bernard) who shared common interest in such things as sports, cooking and music. Wilbur, the oldest brother, preceded him in death. With his brother Vernon he shared a similar personality in organization, discipline and fashion. With his brother Bernard they shared a love for participating in sports as teammates and as well opponents. In later life since Bernard was the youngest he shared that same participation in sports with William Jr. (Gig). He was most affectionate to his only sister whom everyone affectionately called Doris; but he would call her by her given name, Mary Agnes. Kelly was an avid artist, photographer and builder of model ships and airplanes. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the 395th AAA Battalion stationed in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in March 1946. One way he tried to fill the void was to travel up the road to C-Mart Department store every Monday, rain, sleet, hail or snow. He would solicit other family members to join him, because this was something he and his beloved "Sis" did together. God heard and felt his longing and has reunited him with his soul mate. Kelly was what we called a sharp dresser; he changed clothes at least twice a day. He dressed in all colors with matching shoes, watchbands and jewelry. Jewelry would be either all gold or all silver. He had a saying "Never mix gold with silver". If you pointed out something that wasn't consistent with his theory, he would also say, "Let that be a lesson to you". He was a lover of music, especially, the big band sound, Broadway and movie tunes. He used to have classical music played for his children on Sundays when they were growing up. One of his favorite albums was Mantrovani and the One Hundred and One Strings, the "Soul of Spain". He was an avid reader of the newspaper, insisting each day to stop and purchase copies of local and out-of-state papers. When the children were school age, he insisted that they at least read one column on all front-page stories. He kept up with current events through these newspapers and his large collection of portable radios. Kelly and his soul mate, Rinthia, not only grew up together, they worked together for many years for the federal government. He was employed at Sonibaum Manufacturing after he graduated from high school. He was employed at the Edgewood Arsenal just before he entered the army in 1942. Immediately after the army he was employed at Crown, Cork & Seal. He also worked part-time at the Hutzler's Department store. He held two (2) full-time positions in the state and federal governments; he retired at age 55, from the Social Security Administration in 1977, as the Assistant Branch Manager for the Dunbar district office. He retired at the age of 62 from the University of Maryland Medical Systems in 1984 as the Assistant Director of General Services. He was one of a long list of Kelly's who worked for the University of Maryland, starting with his father Levi, his brother Joseph (Bernard), his sister Mary Agnes (Doris), daughters Pamela, Michele, Pia, Maria and nieces Gloria Ross and Janet Stansbury. During his years of retirement, his favorite hangout spot was at the McDonalds where every morning he would meet other retirees. He was a man of dignity and strength who often gave financial assistance to those in need. He had a strong and abiding faith that continued to the end. Now we have come to say our final farewell. The passing of Kelly will leave a void in the lives of the people who loved him. Memories must now be the link from us to him until we meet again. He leaves to mourn: two sons, William Jr. and Colin Kelly; four daughters, Pamela Brown, Michele Mitchell, Pia Kelly and Maria Kelly; twelve (12) grandchildren, eight (8) great-grandchildren; two godchildren, Daniel Cook and Andrietta Rogers; two brothers, Vernon Anthony Kelly Sr., and Joseph Bernard Kelly and one sister Mary Agnes (Doris) Parker; daughter-in-law, Delnora L. Kelly; Bessie King, a life long friend to William and Rinthia; three sisters-in-law, Beatrice Christain, Lurcretia Eldredge and Rita Ann Jeffers, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

William L. Kelly

September 9, 1922 - June 20, 2005