William Jerry Kelly

Kelly, William J. (Jerry) Age 81 of Salem Township. Jerry was born to William and Marianne (Scholtz) Kelly in Detroit, Michigan on May 16, 1936. He grew up in Detroit and attended St. Theresa High School (class of ‘54). Jerry moved to Mt. Pleasant with his family in 1956 where he attended Central Michigan University, joined the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and studied under the ROTC program. Jerry entered the Army after finishing college. Jerry was very proud of his military service and his posts included The United States, Germany and Vietnam. He served as a Major at the completion of his service. Following the military Jerry worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Detroit where he met the love of his life, Joan. Jerry loved hockey and played his entire life. Loved by his teammates and cursed by every team he ever played, Jerry had a way of bringing out and enjoying the best of his teammates, his game and his life. For those who had the pleasure of knowing him on the ice, in the pub afterward or at his semi-famous, spring hockey parties, you were well blessed. For Jerry, hockey was a reflection of his life and his life was a reflection of his hockey: well played. He enjoyed talking politics, pondering the big questions of life and he loved Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. He also enjoyed bird watching and was a “proud member” of the Junior Audubon Society. Jerry was also a member of the St. Joseph Parish Catholic Church in South Lyon. He is survived by his wife Joan, brother Jim Kelly, sisters Maureen (Bill) Kuz and Jill Kelly: four children, Molly (Ralph) Ross, Bill (Julie) Kelly, Mike (Kim) Kelly and Chris Kelly; four grandchildren, Jessica (Pat) Brannan, Kelly (Chad) Jaworski, Quinn Kelly and Spencer Kelly; 2 great grandchildren, Erin and Jackson Brannan; many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. Jerry supported Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warriors and the USO. In lieu of flowers donations to these organizations would be great. The family is inviting all to share images, notes and memories of Jerry by e-mailing them to JerryKelly@cwok.me. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with a time of gathering beginning at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 S. Lafayette, South Lyon.