Obituary of Robert William Kelley

Robert William Kelley, 81, husband of Linda Drewry Kelley, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 26, 2023. He was the son of the late Patrick Henry and Avery Mae Wimmer Kelley. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Elsie JoAnn Andrews, Patty Looney, Cecilia Williams, and Sara Davis Anderson.

He attended New Covenant Christian Church and was a veteran of the U. S. Navy, where he was part of the Cuban Blockade, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mr. Kelley worked as an Airplane Mechanic for Piedmont Airlines, and later, U.S. Airways, where he retired after 30 plus years of service. Among his hobbies were fishing, lawn care around his home, watching old Westerns and outdoor shows and was an avid football fan, following his life-long team, the Washington Commanders. He was a multi-talented man who was meticulous in his work and in everything he did, including how he stored his tools and organized his garage. He certainly did things on his own terms.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, he will be missed and remembered by his daughter, Michelle Kelley Murray; grandchildren Spencer Murray, Cameron Murray, Marlee Murray, and Meredith Murray; niece Lynn Stewart; great nieces Jackie Lemon and Maggie Roberts; great-great-niece Jolyn Roberts; his Yorkies, Gucci and Lily; as well as several other family members.

A service to honor his life will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, March 31, 2023, in the Chapel of Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, with Rev. Chris Kingery officiating. Entombment with military honors will follow at Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.simpsonfuneral.com.