William E Kelly

William E. Kelly, a longtime resident of Washingtonville, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 19, 2026, surrounded by the love and care of those who meant so much to him. Born in Brooklyn, NY, on September 13, 1963, he was the son of Raymond R. Kelly, Sr. and Ethel (née Burtis) Kelly.

William was a hardworking and skilled auto body mechanic who had a genuine passion for cars, especially classic Fords. His love for automobiles was just one part of a personality that was naturally curious and always ready for the next discovery. A devoted New York Mets fan, William also had a wonderful talent for collecting—he could find something interesting almost anywhere.

He especially enjoyed searching for what he affectionately called “Rusty Gold,” spending countless hours exploring auctions, garage sales, and antique shops in search of unique treasures and forgotten pieces of the past. For William, collecting was never simply about what he found; it was about the excitement of the hunt and the stories behind the things he brought home.

William will be deeply missed by his mother, Ethel Kelly; his brother, Raymond R. Kelly, Jr.; his sister, Diane Genelin and her husband, Tony; and his nieces and nephews, Anthony Genelin, Kelly Genelin, Kaitlyn (Ryan) Dunn, and Andrew Genelin. He is also survived by his dear friends, Jonathan Iovine and Autumn Saleski, whose friendship and companionship were cherished.

William was predeceased by his father, Raymond R. Kelly, Sr.; grandparents, William and Marie Kelly and Edward and Ethel Burtis; aunts and uncles, Edward Burtis, Jr., William (Bill) Kelly Jr., Eugene (Gene) Kelly, Anita Kelly McCormack, Theresa Kelly Bailey, Salvatore (Sal) Musumeci, and cousin, Alfie Bailey.

William’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Kaplan Family Hospice Residence for the kindness, dignity, and compassionate care they provided to William and his family during his time there.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in William’s memory to Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, 1 Sunrise Ln, Newburgh, NY 12550 or https://hospiceoforange.com/kaplan-residence/