William Edward Kelley, Jr. (Ed) of Florissant, Missouri, died of natural causes at his home on January 17, 2019.Ed was born in Galesburg, Illinois on March 13, 1962 to William Edward Kelley, Sr. and Joan Milam Kelley. He was a graduate of Galesburg Sr. High School and Western Illinois University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and Social Work. As a child, Ed was raised and baptized in the Lawrence Avenue Church of Christ, Galesburg. His faith in God was important to him throughout his life. Upon his death, he was a member of Barak Christian Church, Hazelwood, Missouri, where he was active in the Building and Grounds, and Usher ministries.
Ed dedicated his profession to supporting youth in the juvenile justice system. His career spanned more than two decades of service in Illinois and Missouri with Illinois Department of Corrections, Children’s Home Association of Illinois, Peoria County Juvenile Detention, and St. Louis Housing Authority, culminating in his final role as a Deputy Juvenile Officer with the St. Louis Judicial Circuit Court. He was a mentor to many young people and believed deeply in their ability to succeed against all odds.
Ed was a member of the Masonic Brotherhood (Lodge Caution 23) and was active in supporting the mission of leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy. In his free time Ed enjoyed cooking, watching sports, traveling, following current events, and spending time with family and friends. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, B. Gayle Goolsby and Katrina Ann Kelley. He is survived by his wife Kimberly Kelley; stepchildren, Tone-E Wise, KeLend Smith, Mikael Arstead, Minister Julious Jones, Sr. (Jasmine), and Timpestt Jones; siblings, Robert L. Smartt (Cindy Gordon), Princeton, New Jersey, Karen Kelley-Ariwoola (Joseph Ariwoola), Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Karla Kelley and Manda Kelley, Washington, D.C.; nephews, Solomon and Sam Ariwoola; niece, Keyanna Kelley; and a host of loving cousins, other relatives, and beloved friends. Ed was also a loving father figure to YoLanda Riley, Ariel Smith, Marcus Brown, Elvin O. Haney, Jr., and many others.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 (10 a.m. visitation, 11 a.m. services) at Barak Christian Church, Hazelwood, Missouri. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 28, 2019 (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) at Hinchliff-Pearson-West, 1070 W. Fremont St., Galesburg, IL followed by a private family burial in East Linwood Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Clark and Sons Funeral Home, St. Louis, MO. Memorials may be made to Barak Christian Church. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
