William C. Kelsey's Obituary
William “Bill” or “Coach” Kelsey of Eustis, Florida and St Paul Park, Minnesota passed away quietly on Saturday, June 13th in his home in Eustis. He was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota on March 31, 1921 and grew up in Saint Paul Park, Minnesota. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Bill served in the Navy as a Pilot from 1941 until 1947 and then attended the University of Minnesota. He graduated and began his teaching career in 1950 in Valley Springs, South Dakota. He moved to Eustis, Florida in 1951 and was a beloved teacher at Eustis High School from 1951 until he retired in 1983. He also coached many different sports, but is mostly remembered for his Swim Team. He received his Master’s Degree in Oceanography in 1967 and began teaching Marine Biology at Eustis High as well as running a summer marine biology camp in Crystal River for many years. Bill studied and took up photography in 1974 and handled many weddings and proms. He was active in the United Methodist Church where he could be seen singing joyfully in the tenor section of the choir for years. In his retirement he and his wife took up RV’ing and traveled all over the United States and Canada enjoying a well-earned and long retirement. Bill is survived by his wife of 70 years, Alva Deane “Deanna” Kelsey, his sister, Marlene, Brother, Curtis and his four children, Carol Kelsey Bozeman, David Terrell Kelsey, Patrick Robert Kelsey and Susan Kelsey Jackson, 13 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. He has been influential in many young lives and will be remembered with love and respect. May God always hold him in the palm of his hand and may he rest in peace knowing he lived a life filled with kindness and compassion and left a legacy of love.
Memorial services with U.S. Navy Honors and Rev. John M. Brackman officiating will begin at 2 PM on Thursday, June 18th in the Hamlin & Hilbish Chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Jayne Hatfield Brackman Memorial Scholarship, sent to; Asbury University, One Macklim Drive, Wilmore, KY 40390
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?