William E. Kelley

WILLIAM ELMER KELLEY, age 83, of Missouri City, Texas, passed away January 3, 2016. Bill was born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 1932, to Charles Kenneth Kelley and Helen Block. He grew up during the Depression working side-by-side with his father on a myriad of endeavors including working in a coal mine, driving trucks, and building houses. As a young man he worked in a service station, toiled in a steel mill, and even spent time as a soda jerk. After graduating from Wilkinsburg High School in 1951, he was drafted into the Army, serving as an artillery weather specialist during the Korean War, spending most of his time stationed in Japan, and reaching the rank of Corporal.

Shortly after returning home from the war in 1954, Bill met and fell in love with his wife to be, Patricia Ann Neyman, who was finishing her training at Columbia Hospital School of Nursing. They married in 1955 and resided in Forest Hills, PA, where they started a catering business called the Coffee Pot. A year later they sold their business and moved to Miami, FL, where Bill attended the University of Miami and Patti worked at the University Hospital on campus,

They later moved to Houston, TX, where Patti worked at St. Luke's Hospital and Bill eventually co-founded a business in 1958, CK Kelley and Sons, once again working side-by-side with his father. Bill and Patti would be married for 58 wonderful years and welcomed three children from 1959 to 1966, all native Texans. Bill worked with his family until his retirement in 2002, and spent his remaining years at home in Missouri City, TX. Patti passed away in 2013, and Bill was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2014. He fought like a champion until the end, for his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Patricia A. Kelley; his parents, Charles K. and Helen B. Kelley; and his brother, James L. Kelley.

He is survived by his three children; daughters, Sandy Bruns and her husband George of Boerne, TX, and Barbara Corporron and her husband Rodney of Schulenburg, TX; and son, Tom Kelley of Missouri City, TX; grandchildren, Blake Bruns, Jordan Bruns, Darby Kelley, Riley Bauman, Connor Corporron, McKenna Corporron, and Calie Corporron; and brother, Donald G. Kelley.

For those desiring, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Memorial Hermann Foundation, Attn: Memorial Hermann Cancer Center-Texas Medical Center, 929 Gessner, Suite 2650, Houston, TX 77024.