Kelly, W. A. (Bill) 1878-1947

KELLY, FINNUCAN, DECKER, HARRIS, MCNAMARA, STAYNER, LYONS, SHAW, PHELAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/3/2005 at 11:48:27

Colfax [IA] Jul 1947
W. A. “Bill” Kelly Dies This Afternoon
Kelly, W. A. (Bill)

Former Jasper County Supervisor Died at 1:30 Today in Colfax.

(Special to The Daily News) COLFAX-W. A. (Bill) Kelly, 66, former Jasper county supervisor, died about 1: 30 o'clock this afternoon at his home in Colfax. He had been seriously ill since suffering a stroke a week ago Sunday.

Announcement of funeral services for Mr. Kelly will be carried in The Daily News tomorrow.

Life Resident
Mr. Kelly, a life-long resident of Jasper County, was first elected supervisor on the Democratic ticket in 1940, when he was named to the term beginning Jan. 1, 1942. In 1944 he was re-elected and was named chairman of the board, serving until recently.

For many years Mr. Kelly operated a farm southwest of Mingo where he was prominent as a live-stock feeder. In the early '40s he moved to Colfax and has made his home there since that time.

Active Worker

Mr. Kelly was well known in farm circles and served as vice-president of the soil conservation program in Poweshiek Township and as Poweshiek township trustee and clerk. He was known as an active worker, a strong booster for farm-to-market roads and for his interest in stock farming.

As a member of the board of supervisors during his first term, he had a part in reducing county tax levies and in maintaining the county on a good operating basis.

Mr. Kelly is survived by his wife, who has been outstanding in Red Cross work in Jasper County for a number of years.

W. A. KELLY DIED TUESDAY AFTER LINGERING ILLNESS

Well Known Farmer and Stock Raiser: Retired Member Board Of Supervisors W. A. Kelly, 67, well known farmer and stock raiser and former member of the Jasper County Board of Supervisors, died at his home on East Howard Street in Colfax Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. He had been in failing health following a stroke but the past few months his strength waned even more rapidly and for over a week death had been expected momentarily.

Mr. Kelly, son of Jeremiah and Mary Finnucan Kelly was born in Valeria, la., August 18, 1879, and at the age of 1 ½ moved to what is known as the Kelly farm in Poweshiek Township where he grew up to manhood. He received his elementary schooling in the schools of his township and the Colfax High School, later going to Grinnell College. He had an outstanding record in athletics winning local and state recognition in football both in high school and college.

He resided on the home place the greater part of his active life and after the death of his parents, in cooperation with his brothers under the firm of Kelly Brothers, added the raising of mules and other livestock in connection with the farming. He was elected as a member of the Jasper County Board of Supervisors in 1940 on the Democratic ticket and served in this capacity from January 1942 until June 17th of this year, resigning at that time because of failing health. He had also served as clerk and trustee of Poweshiek Township.

He was united in marriage to May Decker, of Princeton, Indiana, on April 9th, 1918, and while they had no children of their own, they made a home for several boys including Clarence Stayner now of Los Angeles, Calif., and Dee Harris, of this city. They moved to Colfax in 1941. He was a kind neighbor and good friend to all who came his way and did much while a member of the Board of Supervisors in promoting farm-to-market roads and in reducing county tax levies. He was a member of the Elks Club of Newton and took an active part in all civic affairs as long as health permitted.

Besides his wife he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Nora McNamara of Colfax and Mrs. Jerry (Agnes) Foley of Newton and the two foster sons, Clarence Stayner and Dee Harris, besides several nieces and nephews. His parents, four brothers, Edward, Mike, Jim and John and five sisters, Carrie Lyons, Margaret Shaw, Mary Ann Phelan, Lizzie and Lucy Kelly preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 o’clock at the Immaculate Conception Church with Father D. F. Cahalan officiating. Interment will be in the Colfax Cemetery.

W. A. Kelly Rites Held at Colfax

A large number of Newton business and professional men were in Colfax today attending funeral services for William A. Kelly, former Jasper county supervisor at 10 o'clock from the Immaculate Conception Church.

Father D. F. Cahalan officiated at the services. Miss Mary Louise Menke sang appropriate music.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Monroe and Mrs. Jasper Miller were in charge of floral tributes at the Colfax cemetery where burial was made.

Pallbearers were William Herbold, Ray McMurray, Glen Ryan, Burns McDonald, G. W. Maher and Artie Bell.

Originally submitted on Fri Jul 19 15:33:14 2002