He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, during the Vietnam War (1967-68). He received several awards including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal. He received a B.A. and M.A. from Michigan State University, a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Omohundio Institute of Early American History and Culture. Kelly was a research historian at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for 34 years.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife for 48 years, Anne Kelly; his daughter, Rebekah (Becky) Kelly; and grandchild, Clare Stewart.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, June 29, 2018 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1333 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or Omohundio Institute of Early American History and Culture at oieahc.wm.edu. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.
