Walter James Kelly, Jr.

Walter James Kelly, Jr. of South Glastonbury, beloved husband of Anne (Millhouse) Kelly, passed away peacefully at home on May 17, 2024. He was born in Providence, RI on November 7, 1942, the second of five children born to the late Walter James, Sr. and Gertrude T. (Murphy) Kelly. He was a 1960 graduate of Rogers High School in Newport, RI. Immediately after he graduated, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably for four years. He then worked for Pacific Telephone as a line assigner. In 1968, he transferred to New England Telephone in Newport, RI as an installer and repairman. He left the telephone company to pursue other interests. He served briefly on the Newport City Council.

In 1984, he founded Kelly Financial Group located in Wethersfield, expanding it to two more offices in Woodbridge and Old Lyme serving over several thousand clients. In addition to Kelly Financial Group, he presented over 500 motivational and financial seminars across the country sharing his experience, strength and hope with others.

In 1979, Walter accepted Christ as his personal Savior while watching a Billy Graham crusade on television. It was this sincere belief in Christ that enabled his successes in his many business and life ventures. After moving to CT, he became a member of Wethersfield First Church of Christ Men’s Prayer Breakfast for more than 30 years, where he surrounded himself with fellows that shared his Christian belief. He was a friend of Bill W for 43 years.

In addition to Anne, his wife of 33 years, he leaves his daughters, Jennifer Patricia Kelly of New York and Alycia Erin Kelly of Westbrook; brother, Michael Joseph Kelly and Marianna of Tiverton, RI and sister, Nancy (Kelly) White and husband Bob of Warwick, RI; his aunt, Patricia Murphy of Middletown, RI; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jerome and Nancy Millhouse; brothers-in-law, Richard Millhouse and wife Martha, John Millhouse and wife Audra, Michael Millhouse and wife Linda, along with many nieces and nephews who adore him. He is preceded in death by brothers, Richard Moore Kelly and William Anthony Kelly, both of Rhode Island. The family would like to thank the wonderful staffs of VITAS Healthcare and Comfort Keepers for the care and compassion shown to Walter, and special thanks to hospice workers Ursula, Rachel and Mic, Comfort Keepers Veronica, Laura and Martha, as well as the Libbey family and our church family.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, May 30 from 4-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. The Funeral Service will be Friday, May 31 at 11 a.m. at Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church, 511 Maple Street, Wethersfield. Burial in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Walter’s memory may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. To share a memory of Walter, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com