Alfred "Willis" Kelley, 93, died Sunday, Oct. 26 at his home in Riverbank, where he had lived since 1945.
He was born in Oakland to Gilbert and Francis Jeanette Kelley and grew up in Monterey. He moved to Waterford at the age of 15 and graduated from Oakdale High School in 1933.
Mr. Kelley served in the United States Army during World War II. He owned Kelley's Lumber Yard in Riverbank, Riverbank Insurance Co., and Kelley's Liquor Store, also in Riverbank. After semi-retirement, he worked with Riverbank Realty.
He was active in the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, and the Parks Department. He served on the Grand Jury and as a volunteer fireman. He was also a long time member of the Oakdale Golf & Country Club and the Elks Lodge in Modesto.
He is survived by his children, Cheryl Dinsmoor of Aurora, CO, Karen Kelley of Seaside, and Brian Kelley of Ceres; grandchildren, Matthew Gomez of Colorado Springs, CO, Darin Kelley and Gregg Kelley of Turlock; and great-grandchildren, Merrick and Devony Gomez, Will Kelley, and Tyler Kelley.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Velma Kelley.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sylvan Club, 2545 Sylvan Ave., Modesto. If you attend, please bring memories and stories to share.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Children's Hospital and Research Center, 2201 Broadway, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94612.
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Nov. 5, 2008
He was born in Oakland to Gilbert and Francis Jeanette Kelley and grew up in Monterey. He moved to Waterford at the age of 15 and graduated from Oakdale High School in 1933.
Mr. Kelley served in the United States Army during World War II. He owned Kelley's Lumber Yard in Riverbank, Riverbank Insurance Co., and Kelley's Liquor Store, also in Riverbank. After semi-retirement, he worked with Riverbank Realty.
He was active in the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, and the Parks Department. He served on the Grand Jury and as a volunteer fireman. He was also a long time member of the Oakdale Golf & Country Club and the Elks Lodge in Modesto.
He is survived by his children, Cheryl Dinsmoor of Aurora, CO, Karen Kelley of Seaside, and Brian Kelley of Ceres; grandchildren, Matthew Gomez of Colorado Springs, CO, Darin Kelley and Gregg Kelley of Turlock; and great-grandchildren, Merrick and Devony Gomez, Will Kelley, and Tyler Kelley.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Velma Kelley.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sylvan Club, 2545 Sylvan Ave., Modesto. If you attend, please bring memories and stories to share.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Children's Hospital and Research Center, 2201 Broadway, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94612.
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Nov. 5, 2008
