A History of Courage,
Honor, Integrity
& Faithfulness
A WORD ON OUR FOUNDER
Barely 17, in just two tours of the World War II Pacific Theatre, W. W. Kelly, Jr. managed not only to be promoted to Captain's Yeomen of the USS Alderamin, but also rescue the famous Flying Tigers and bring them safe passage. He & his young shipmates accomplished this while simultaneously making a daring rescue for a small Chinese boy, orphaned & marooned in the tragedies of war.These grand world-spanning adventures at such a young age would prove to shape the rest of Bill Kelly's life & legacy, stirring a constant desire for adventure with a deep understanding of dignity & integrity.Soon after coming home to his small town in Illinois from the war, Bill left out on another adventure. And in 1958, he moved to Jackson, Mississippi with inspiration to embark on the entrepreneurial American dream. There, with just two men and a single truck, he opened a small lighting-repair and bulb-washing company.All who knew Bill knew they could depend on him. A man of few words, it was an unspoken promise. If a friend or stranger needed help, you could count on Bill. As his Captain realized in the Navy, with Bill, somehow you knew instantly the moment you met him, you could trust him & count on him to be faithful. No matter what changed in the world around him, he would remain steadfast in all his commitments. There was perhaps never a man so dedicated to this concept of integrity.Whenever Bill was asked how he was doing, he was well-known to respond with, "I can't complain." And would say often to his close friends & family: "If anything were to happen to me, don't be sad. I've lived a great life. I have a great family and friends. I couldn't be happier. I have no complaints."All employees and clients of FMS would fondly refer to Bill as Mr. Kelly––even years and decades after their employment or professional interactions had ended. They all knew that, even if no longer around, they had a kind and optimistic friend in Mr. Kelly. He always saw the best in people.On a rainy day in late December of 2020, at the age of 93, after faithfully going in to his company each day until that last month, William W. Kelly, Jr. passed on to be with the Lord.He was a faithful man.And though we all miss him, we know, that even if no longer around, we still have a faithful friend in Bill Kelly.
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness:
but a faithful man, who can find?
— Proverbs 20:6
We're so very grateful & proud to have been founded on such integrity and faithfulness. Though Mr. Kelly is out of his office at present, we continue to honor the faithful work and professional integrity he instilled in us, we happy band of brothers & sisters. Thank you for allowing us to serve you all these years, and for many more to come.
A favorite place of our late Founder, the National World War 2 Museum in New Orleans celebrates the sacrifices all WW2 veterans made to secure the freedoms we still struggle to preserve today. Shortly before his passing, Mr. Kelly was greeted like royalty there, as all few remaining WW2 vets are. Consider visiting or donating today:
