April 27, 1919 - February 8, 2013
SCHUYLER LAKE - William J. Kelly, a life-long area resident, passed away early Friday morning, February 8, 2013, at Otsego Manor. He was 93.
Born April 27, 1919, at his family's home in the Town of Exeter, he was a son of Joseph W. and Laura M. (Eckler) Kelly. Raised on the family farm, Bill attended and later graduated from Schuyler Lake High School.
On August 29, 1940, Bill married J. Irene Wiltse in Richfield Springs.
After working for a time on the family farm and hauling milk, he went to work as a mechanic for George Taylor. He later learned the plumbing trade and worked for Harold D. Ainslie in Richfield Springs. Eventually, Bill was elected Highway Superintendent for the Town of Exeter, a position he served in for 19 years until he retired in 1990. Even in his retirement, Bill stayed busy as a handyman, doing odd jobs and mowing lawns.
A Charter Member of the Schuyler Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Bill was an active, faithful and dedicated member who served the department for over 60 years as a Firefighter, Department Chief, Fire District Commissioner, and Chairman of the Board of the Schuyler Lake Fire District. He was also a member and Treasurer of the Otsego County Town Highway Superintendents' Association. In 2004, Bill was presented with the Otsego County Office for the Aging Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen Award for having made a positive and beneficial contribution to the senior citizens of the community.
Bill is survived by two sons, William M. Kelly and his wife, Betty Bubencik, and Walter John Kelly and his wife, Christine, all of Schuyler Lake; three grandchildren, Donald Kelly and his wife Anoel, Faith Kelly and Kimmie Hungerford; and several great grandchildren. He is further survived by one sister-in-law, Mrs. Dorothy P. Kelly of Schuyler Lake and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, J. Irene Kelly, who died November 23, 2002; his brother, Charles W. Kelly, who died November 11, 1996; and his sister, Margaret Ann Petkewec, who died June 9, 2007.
Family and friends may pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from 4-7 pm. At 6:30 Tuesday evening, a Firefighter Memorial Service will be conducted at the funeral home by members of the Schuyler Lake Volunteer Fire Department, with Ted Duesler, Chaplain of the Otsego County Volunteer Firemen's Association, officiating.
At the request of the family, the funeral service and eventual burial in Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek will be private.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Schuyler Lake Volunteer Fire Department, or the Schuyler Lake First Responder, P. O. Box 112, Schuyler Lake, NY 13457.
Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.
