Bellville TimesFuneral services for Willie A. Kelling were Monday, March 15, 2004 at 11 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church with the Rev. Blair Lundborg officiating.
Interment followed in Prairie Lea Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Johnny Jankowiak, Darrell Winkelmann, Tom Campbell, Clarence Eben, Dave Hellmann, Johnny Hightower, and Charles Heller. Honoray,  Honorary pallbearers were Ben Niemeyer, Wesley Schlechte, Al Novosad, Howard Kruse, Joe Seeber and the men of Christ Lutheran Church.
The family received visitors Sunday, March 14, 2004 from 5-7 p.m. in Brenham Memorial Chapel.
 Willie A. Kelling was born January 31, 1924 to W.F. and Nelda Blum Kelling in Phillipsburg. He was baptized March 3, 1924 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg and confirmed April 10, 1938 at St. James Lutheran Church of
New Wehdem.
During his high school years he took time off to help his father on the farm. Eventually, his father convinced him to finish school, and he graduated from Bellville High School in 1943 with his brother Rudy. He served in the U.S. Army from July 1943 to March 1946. Eleven months of this
time was spent in Hawaii. Upon returning home, he majored in agronomy at Texas A & M University. In January of 1950, he graduated with a B.S. degree in Agriculture.
Willie was united in marriage to the former Joyce Wiese April 23, 1950, by the Rev. Herman Engeling in Elgin.
Willie sold John Deere tractors until 1954 and then worked for Hausman Wholesale until 1961. He was employed by Blue Bell Creameries for 25 years, until his retirement in 1986. He enjoyed retirement, spending time and
traveling with his loving wife Joyce, family and friends. He enjoyed playing chicken foot, dominoes, and Uno. He also enjoyed driving and comparing cotton crops to those in his own backyard. Since Joyce's death five years ago, he has missed her deeply. Willie never met a stranger, because he loved people.
 Willie A. Kelling of Brenham died Thursday, March 11, 2004.
He is survived by his daughter, Joylene Kelling Jolly and husband Richard of Cypress; grandchildren Dirk Jolly, Ryan Jolly and wife Morgan, and Kristen Jolly all of Cypress; great granddaughter Catherine Kelling Jolly; brother and sister-in-law Rev. Rudy and Ruth Kelling; sisters and brothers-in-law Kathleen and Quentin Farris of Daisetta, Edith Gilmore of Killeen, Marie and Gaylord Wilson of Sacramento, Calif.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law
Janice and Jesse Menke of Yoakum, Pauline Kelling of Knippa; Ruth Kelling of Brenham, Clarence and Diana Hodde of Brenham; and numerous nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers Ray and Daniel Kelling; sister Elsie Hodde; and brother-in-law Henry Gilmore.
Memorials may be given to Christ Lutheran Day School building fund. Funeral services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel.

 

Posted by Joy Neely