Donal Wayne Kelley

Donal Wayne Kelley, 88, of Abilene passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 in Abilene.

Visitation will be from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, December 16 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, December 17 at Wylie Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Iberis Cemetery under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home.

Donal was born on December 17, 1932 in Eskota, TX to W.C. and Bonnie Faye Kelley. He married Maretha Freeman on January 13, 1951 in Roscoe, TX. They actually left the wedding with Donal pushing Maretha through town in a wheel barrow. In 1965, they decided to make Abilene their home. They became members of the Wylie Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

“Granddaddy,” as known by his grandchildren, would attend every sporting event that his children and grandchildren were participating in. When he wasn’t attending sporting events, Donal enjoyed good food and good friends. He especially liked to treat himself to Jack & Jill Donuts, and particularly liked to drive around while chewing on a cigar. He never met a stranger. Donal worked for 45 years as a parts salesman and was one of the best – priding himself on remembering different parts’ numbers for different customers. “Granddaddy” put his family first, always. He was known to enjoy a good western movie, a witty story, and a big laugh.

Donal was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Maretha Kelley, his son Rick Kelley, and his sister Willa Faye Milholland.

Survivors include his three sons and their wives, Kenny and Judy Kelley, Tim and Sherry Kelley, and Stan and Helen Kelley; one brother, W.C. Kelley, Jr. and eight grandchildren, along with 18 great-grandchildren.

Family encourages memorials may be made to the Iberis Cemetery Association, PO Box 6846, Abilene, Texas 79608.