Troop 228 remembers William E. Kelly (Bill) who passed away on September 15, 2015 in his home in Ridgefield, CT at the age of 94. Bill first became involved in scouting in 1930 as a cub scout with Troop 16 in Mount Vernon, NY. He was one badge away from attaining the rank of Eagle Scout when, in the fall of 1942, he joined the United States Army during World War II. He was sent for basic training in Panama and remained there as part of the Coastal Artillery for Defense of the Panama Canal. Upon returning from overseas service, Bill was actively involved in Scouting for the next 65 years. He has been the Ceremony Chairman of the annual scout mass held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, served as Order-Of-The-Arrow Advisor, received the Vigil Honor and Founders Awards and was on the Executive Board and Catholic Committee. Bill has been Chairman at the annual Thunderbird Games for over 15 years. In addition, he was known for his dedication to the special needs Scouting programs in Westchester-Putnam Council, raising over $2 million at the annual Bowl-O-Ree (renamed in his honor in 1989).

Members of Troop 228 were fortunate enough to spend time with Bill (seated in the hat below) and Ed Stark this past summer at their annual Father’s Day Campout at Site 40 in Durland Scout Reservation.