William J. Kelly Jr. of Hingham, died peacefully surrounded by his family, after a short illness on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the Pat Roche Hospice Home. He was 94.
Born in Boston on June 8, 1929, he was raised in Boston neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and Hyde Park and was the son of the late William and Mary (Mason) Kelly. Bill graduated from the Boston English High School in 1947 where he achieved high academic honors and participated in varsity sports. After high school he worked in the printing industry as a linotype operator and press mechanic at the Boston herald Traveler. He married his high school sweetheart, Jane C Kelly (Sullivan) in 1951. He continued his education at Northeastern University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. Following graduation he directed Computer Services at Boston College and returned to the Air Force as a civilian and served as the Director of Air Force Computer Acquisition at Hanscom Field in Bedford Mass for many years.
William J. “Bill” Kelly, Jr. was the beloved husband of Jane Sullivan Kelly The two married on August 30, 1951 in Holy Name Parish, West Roxbury. Together they shared 69 loving years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Deborah K. Redmond and her husband Timothy of Harwich and Janet K. Young and her husband Richard of Hingham. Bill was the loving “Papa” of four grandchildren – Andrew, Scott, Sarah, and Brian – and three great-grandchildren Jack, Lily and Lucy.
Bill enjoyed golf and played for many years at South Shore Country Club, He especially enjoyed teaching the game to his two daughters as well as his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching and participating in his grandchildren’s lives. He loved music and dancing with Jane and loved working on their historic home in Hingham. Bill will be remembered most for his abundant stories and keen mind.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately in St. Paul’s Church, Hingham at 10 am August 4, followed by private interment in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Bill’s name to Pat Roche Hospice Home, 86 Turkey Hill Lane, Hingham, MA 02043.