William D. Kelsey

William Dallas Kelsey was born on April 18, 1932 to Ralph and Lucy Kelsey and departed this world on September 12, 2010. He was in such a hurry to make his apperance he was delivered before the doctor arrived. He was born on the Kelsey Homestead in the Big Rock Community. Bill lived all his life in Baca County except the four years he was served in the Air Force. He joined the service in August of 1951 and got out on an honorable discharge in August 1955. He married his high school sweetheart Naomi Fowler on June 20, 1953 in Lamar, Colorado with Melvin and Ethel Wessler as witnesses. To this union one daughter, Sherry Lynn (Owens), was born on January 11, 1955. While in the service Bill was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base Texas for his basic training. Then on to Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Then to Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois and the 84th Fighter Interceptor Squardron at Hamilton Air Force Base in California where he was an electrician working on jet plains. After returning to Colorado in 1955 Bill farmed and ranched until he had to retire in 1997 due to ill health. Bill and Naomi moved to Springfield where he resided untill his passing. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; Ralph and Lucy Kelsey, grandparents William and Fanny Kelsey and Clemmie Cooper, brithers-in-law Howard McGee, Carroll Onstatt, and Harold Mead, nephew Rick McGee, father and mother-in-law Charlie and Hester Fowler and son-in-law Norman Owens. Bill is survived by his wife Naomi of 57 years, daughter Sherry Lynn Owens, sister Elizabeth McGee, nephew Rodney (Ronda) McGee of Springfield, Colorado, Mark (Robin) McGee of Colorado Springs, Colorado, niece Marilyn (Justin) Fulton of Fort Collins, Colorado, and sister-in-law Mary Mead and numerous nieces and nephews.