Willie Reece Kelley

Willie Reece Kelley, Jr., age 83, loving husband of Barbara Ellen Booth Kelley, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, after a long illness. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 17, 1943, to the late Willie Reece Kelley and Virginia Lamb Kelly. Willie retired from the United States Army, where he first served in Vietnam, and later retired from Palumbo Lumber in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by three grandchildren, Mollie Ann Smith (Lester), Kayla Akins, and Courtney Akins; a great-granddaughter, Grace Chandler; and a sister, Betty Stinnett, and her husband, Wallace. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, James D. Kelley and Nelson R. Kelley, and two sisters, Mildred Woods and Nancy Durbin. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at Chapel Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Travis Votaw officiating. The burial will follow in Camp Nelson National Cemetery with Joe Hill, Jason Smith, George Woods, Bobby Hurt, Tony Hurt, and Wally Stinnett. Honorary bearers will be Clifford Woods and Billy Ray Woods. The visitation will be held on Monday from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at the church. Betts & West Funeral Home is honored to serve Willie and his family during their time of need. Online guestbook at www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.com.