MILBRIDGE – William R. Kelley, 92, a lifetime resident of Washington County, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2012, in Ellsworth. William was born Dec. 28, 1919, in Milbridge, to Edwin and Edna (Faulkingham) Kelley.
He grew up and attended school in Milbridge, graduating from Milbridge High School in 1937. In 1939, William enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. During World War II, he served for two years aboard the USS Texas, BB-35, while it was assigned to convoy duty. During the last part of the war, William was an officer candidate school instructor at Quantico, Va. In 1946, he was discharged from the Marine Corps and was briefly recalled to active duty during the Korean War. After his second discharge from the armed forces, William went to work for Sawyer Motors until he began his career with U.S. Postal Service. While with the postal service, he served as a rural letter carrier for 27 years until his retirement in 1981. William was also a member of Milbridge Congregational Church and was recently recognized with a 65-year service medal star for his membership in the Masons. He also had many hobbies, including deer hunting with Eben Wilson, lobster fishing and gardening.
William was predeceased by his wife, Ruth; brother, Winfield; sister, Louise; and granddaughter, Jessica. He is survived by his children, Marilyn Worden and husband, Al, of Newport, Ronald Kelley and wife, Deborah, of Princeton, Nancy Cram and husband, Brian, of Wake Forest, N.C., and Cathy Simard and husband, Gary, of Auburn; grandchildren, Mike Worden, Kelly Gay, Kristina Richard, Rebecca Charzanko, Brian “B.J.” Cram Jr., Allison Bowie and Aaron Simard; 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. William’s family offers a special thanks to his nephew, Wayne Willey; great-great-nephew, Austin Ronco; sister, Erma Willey; and special friend, Eva Haycock. Without their love and special care, it would not have been possible for Dad to remain at home. Also, thank you to all of his breakfast friends at Meals for Me.
Visiting hours will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at Milbridge chapel of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, where a funeral service is scheduled 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, with Pastor Al Worden officiating. A graveside committal will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge.