Townson-Rose Funeral Home

Obituary for William Kelly


02/19/1930 - 06/08/2020


William “Tommy” Kelly, age 90 of Murphy, NC passed away Monday, June 8, 2020.

He was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC and the son of the late Robert and Rosetta Leatherwood Kelly. Tommy was a US Army veteran; he served during the Korean Conflict in the 82nd Airborne. He retired from Clifton Precision but had been a logger and a farm manager. Tommy was a friend to all. He was a member and deacon at Bear Paw Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one son, Phillip Kelly; five sisters and four brothers.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lorine Stewart Kelly; one son, Bucky Kelly and wife Gail; four daughters, Linda Howard and husband Wade, Betty Palmer and husband Joe, Rita Worthey and husband Avery and Rhonda Ray; 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 6 pm, Friday, June 12, 2020 at the Bear Paw Baptist Church. Rev. Tommy Hayes, Rev. Steve Ware and Rev. Eddie Hardin will officiate. Music will be provided by the Hayes Brothers. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites being conducted by the American Legion Post #96 Murphy, American Legion Post 532 Hayesville, VFW Post 6812, Hayesville, NC, the Marine Corp League Marble, NC, and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Pallbearers will be Chris Foster, Trinnie Howard, Travis Howard, Ben Kelly, Jeff Rogers and Ross Miller. Honorary pallbearers will be Vincent Stewart, Walter Debty, Phillip Trentham, Travis Palmer, Billy Palmer, Jody Palmer, Bill Stewart, Tristan Howard and Reece Howard.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 pm, Friday, June 12, 2020 at the Bear Paw Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Bear Paw Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Phil Wilcox, 3401 Hiwassee Dam Access Road, Murphy, NC 28906.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.


You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com


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