William "Bill" Dillon Kelly

Kelly, William “Bill” Dillon, 86, of East Sandwich, and the California Bay Area, passed away at home with his loving wife by his side on February 5, 2022, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was born to the late Jerome Vincent and Edna (Dillon) Kelly in Detroit MI on November 20, 1935.

In 1948, Jerry, Edna, Bill, Jerry Jr., and the beloved family dog, Lucky, moved to Singer Island, FL, where his dad and uncle tried their hand at real estate and in the 1950s opened the successful Kelly Brothers Real Estate, Palm Beach Gardens, FL developing many residential and business communities in the area over the ensuing fifty years. Bill attended St. Ann’s Catholic School, West Palm Beach, FL and upon graduation, attended Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL, where he received his BSc degree in Political Science. He undertook postgraduate studies in organizational management at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA and the University of VA, Richmond. While attending Spring Hill College, Bill was an ROTC cadet and following graduation became an officer in the U.S. Army, eventually achieving the rank of Major -- with tours of duty in the United States, Germany, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Following his 16-year military life, Bill transitioned to the private sector pursuing a successful and fulfilling career in Human Resource Management that included twenty years of HR leadership roles in corporate management and twenty-three years providing HR consulting and education services to local and national business clients. Bill's achievements included being published by McGraw-Hill, both as an expert co-author and technical editor for several human resource certification books. Bill’s professional leadership activities included roles on SHRM’s Board of Directors as National Vice President for the Society; the Board of Directors and as President for the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI); as State Director and later, State Certification Director, California Human Resource Management Council of SHRM; the Board of Directors and President for the Northern California HR Association (NCHRA); and Commissioner and Chair, Marin County Personnel Commission.

Bill had a penchant for animals and the Kelly home was a sanctuary for wildlife and roaming pets. Bill nurtured a baby racoon for several weeks, until its mom returned to claim him. He once caught an errant mouse, with his bare hands, that a cat had brought in and rehomed it to a nearby field. Cats and dogs were frequent visitors, and many stayed to join the ever-growing fur-family. In later years, Bill worked in the home office with his “boss” and sidekick Ruby his loving Calico cat that he spoiled for 21 years. Bill was kind beyond measure – a man of simple pleasures. Animals and people alike were drawn to his tender nature.

Bill is survived by his wife, Cheryl (Hall) Kelly, with whom he shared 32 years of marriage; his children: Sheila Ann Foster (Roger) of Gulfport, MS; Michael Kelly of Mobile, AL; Mary Elizabeth Pritchard (Roger) of N. Richland Hills, TX; Lisa Kelly of Lititz, PA; and Steven Kelly (Margot) of Oregon City, OR; 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include: a brother-in-law Pete Hall (Ruth) of Tunbridge, VT; sister-in-law Cynthia Hall (Andrew Plante) of Moretown, VT; Bill’s cherished childhood and longtime friend from Singer Island days, Tom Brenner (wife Nancy, Vashon Island, WA); his dear friend and HR business partner, JD Sanders (Fremont, CA), and his beloved Maine Coon kittens, Marley & Riley. Bill will be profoundly missed by all. Bill was predeceased by his younger brother Jerome Vincent Kelly, Jr., who died in 1980; his mother, Edna, who died in 1985; his father Jerry, who died in 2004; his former wife Marie Sue Betbeze, who died in 2019; his former wife Betty Yvonne (Purvis) Kelly, who died in 1994.

The family thanks the VNA of Cape Cod-Hospice Care, Patricia O’Donnell and her team of skilled, gentle, and attentive caregivers; and many friends and neighbors whose numerous acts of kindness were greatly appreciated.

Bill's ashes were interred with Military Honors at a private service on May 11th at the Massachusetts National Cemetery; Bourne, MA

Please remember Bill with random acts of kindness. Contributions may be made in Bill’s name to The Lindsay Wildlife Experience, Attention: Development Office, 1931 First Avenue

Walnut Creek, CA 94597-2540 OR the “Rock Steady Boxing Program”, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 311 Service Rd, East Sandwich, MA 02537.

For online condolences and to read the full obituary, please visit; www.nickerson-bournefuneralhome.com