Billy J. Kelly

Billy J. Kelly, age 83, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away, with his wife by his side, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 at 6:46 a.m. in his home.

Billy was born on June 4, 1931 in Perry County, Ill., a son to Palmer and Rose (Giacomo) Kelly. On Sept. 17, 1951, he married Mary Frances Bolinski in St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., and she survives. He was a member of St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., and had worked road construction as a heavy equipment operator for Local 520 I.U.O.E. for many years. Billy was well known as "Bucky" The Clown, coached little league baseball, coached and cheered-on three kids in swimming, chaperoned many band trips especially to New Orleans, Indy 500 and even to Marion to meet President Gerald Ford. He always enjoyed playing St. Nicholas and Santa Claus and was well known as Beaucoup Bill at Captain Mines. He had a lot of kids that called him Dad and Pop Kelly and was an avid sportsman, especially deer and turkey hunting and he loved to garden.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mary Frances Kelly of Pinckneyville, Ill.; a daughter, Karen (Roger) Heape of Pinckneyville, Ill.; four sons, David (Shirley) Kelly, Mark Kelly and Kevin (Lori) Kelly, all of Pinckneyville, Ill., and Dan (Marilyn) Kelly of White Water, Colo.; a sister, Florence Lambert of Coulterville, Ill.; his beloved golden retriever, Pedro; his best friend, Gene Pulke; 16 grandchildren, Jeramy (Angie) Kelly, Dana (Jim) Buschschulte, Jaci Kelly, Scott Kelly, Christopher (Amanda) Kelly, Billy (Amanda) Brehm, Shawn (Aimee) Brehm, Kendra Kelly, Dustin (Katie) Brehm, Jarrett (Danae) Kelly, Zack (Lisa) Kelly, Kristina (Doug) Jeffers, Erynn Kelly, Levi Kelly, Cody Heape and Andrew (Shilyn Raney) Kelly; 14 step-grandchildren, Brittany (Justin) Frazer, Jerry (Heather) Smith, Annette Kuntz, Josh ( Tammy) Smith, Amanda (Jeff) Riser, Laura (Mike) McKinzie, Grant Shippam, Tyler (Amber) Shippam, Jennifer (Rick Porter) Kirk, Marie (Ryan) Spann, Jerry (Yvonne) McDonnough, DeeDee (Evan Quick) Kelly, Taylor Kelly and Andrew Kelly; 27 great-grandchildren with one due in March; 33 step-great-grandchildren and eight step-great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Palmer and Rose Kelly; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Felix and Antonilla Bolinski; a step-grandson; two great-grandsons; two brothers, Howard Kelly and Paul Kelly, and a son-in-law, Michael Brehm.

Funeral mass will be held at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Brian Barker officiating. Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday morning at the funeral home from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics Area 51.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.