In Memoriam: Bill Kelley

William S. “Bill” Kelley, who worked for the U.Va. Health System’s parking operations, died June 9. He was 72.

He worked at U.Va. for 23 years and took great pride in his work, providing exceptional customer service and compassion for the patients and visitors at U.Va. Medical Center.

Kelley enjoyed friendships and conversations with many people during his life, including some famous individuals. As a young newspaper carrier in his neighborhood, Kelley’s last “paper drop” was at the home of William Faulkner on Rugby Road. On many occasions, Faulkner and Kelley would sit on Faulkner’s front porch and talk about what was going on.

During his early career as a musician, Kelley enjoyed friendships with Bob Hope, Red Skelton and Mel Tillis – they would call him up to get together when they stopped in Virginia on their tours. For a number of years, Kelley performed locally at the Boar’s Head Inn and Aberdeen Barn, and along the East Coast, first with the Tommy Miller Trio and later the Tommy Miller Quartet.

When he was 11 years old, Kelley and his brother were given their first tennis rackets by the late Dr. Edward Wood III, a U.Va. cardiologist. With that gift, Kelley became passionate about tennis. Through the years, he played with many U.Va. associates and their children, as well as playing with Arthur Ashe and Martina Navratilova.

He also was a fan of U.Va. football and basketball, and took his mother to all of the home basketball games until her health failed.

Family visitation will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1042 Preston Avenue, on Friday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday, at noon.

Charlottesville Daily Progress obituary

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Anne E. Bromley

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