William John Kelly

January 22, 1930 ~ December 31, 2022
William John “Bill” Kelly, 92, of Jefferson City, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
He was born on January 22, 1930, in Waukegan, Illinois to Emmett Joseph and Marion Catherine (Glosen) Kelly.
A 1948 graduate of Waukegan Township High School, Bill received an Associate Degree in Business Management from Lake Forest College in 1979.
Bill served in the United States Army 82nd Airborne during the Korean Conflict.
He was united in marriage on August 30, 1950, in North Chicago to Helen Mary Layafka who preceded him in death on April 24, 2003.
He was a private but proud man with a strong work ethic. At the age of fifteen, he worked as a caddie at Shore Acres in Lake Bluff, Illinois. He began his long career of thirty-eight years as a lineman for Commonwealth Edison Company retiring in 1988 as a construction superintendent.
He could build or repair anything and had a deep love for animals, especially his Dobermans.
Bill was a loving and devoted husband and father. He is survived by two children, Paula C. Kelly, Jefferson City; and Patrick J. (Mickie) Kelly, Winthrop Harbor, Illinois; one granddaughter, Melissa (Matt) Duckett; and two beautiful great-granddaughters, Claire Duckett and Harper Duckett.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; granddaughter, Megan Petty; and a brother, Edward E. Kelly.
A small private service is planned.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Compassus Hospice, 3405 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65109 or to Alzheimer’s Association, Jefferson City Walk, 2609 E. Broadway, Suite 119, Columbia, MO 65201.
Thank you, Dad, for all you did and for always being there…
Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
Condolence to the Kelly Family. I am thankful for Bill, for the time he took to talk, and the willingness to share his stories. His ways and wisdom were admirable, a generation to look up to. He made you feel like family. I hope Bill felt that way too.
Paula Blessings to you.
Paula, I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. You have inherited his smile that makes everyone smile when they see it. You were a wonderful daughter and took such good care of him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Paula, we pray God wraps
His arms around you at this most difficult time. Mr. Kelly
& you shared a mutual unconditional love for each other. That love was obvious.
Prayers continue for strength &
comfort to entire Kelly clan. You carry on his contagious smile. Blessings.