William G. Kelly

William G. Kelly III (AKA Little Bill or Willie), 76, passed away peacefully Friday evening, October 25, 2024 after a sudden illness. He had six loving Mount Vernon Developmental Center staff by his side. 

The staff at both Apple Creek State Hospital (until they closed) and at Mount Vernon dearly loved Willie and gave him the utmost care and love. Despite his severe disabilities he demonstrated his mental acuity by being able to memorize the tones from the buttons on the security keypad and would escape the building. He was usually found in another building riding the elevator up and down or standing by a favorite staff member’s car waiting for a ride. He loved his Reese’s Cups, flipping through big Sears catalogs and riding in the car. Very early in his life he loved to play the piano with his dad and younger brother. Neighborhood kids and cousins accepted him as he was and loved to play with him. 

Preceding Bill in death was his father, William G. Kelly Jr and sister-in-law, Sandy Kelly. 

He is survived by his mother, E. Jeanne Kelly of Dublin, Ohio (formerly of Alliance); brother, James H. Kelly of Akron, Ohio; sister, Lynne Kelly-Johnson (Neal) of Dublin, Ohio; and brother, Brian K. Kelly of Warrenville, S.C. ; three cousins, (Wadsworth); three nieces and a nephew; and two grandnephews (all outside of Ohio). 

He is now in God’s hands to be restored – to walk, talk and be whole.