1st Sgt. (USA, Ret.) Willie Thomas "Tommy" Kelley Jr. Obituary (1959

Willie Thomas “Tommy” Kelley, Jr., 66, of Pike County, husband of Cathy Ann Brown Kelley, died Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Born in Griffin, January 20,1959, he was a son of the late Willie Thomas Kelley, Sr. and Marguerite Gunter Kelley. Mr. Kelley was extremely proud of his military service. He was a highly decorated service member earning and awarded the Legion of Merit and seven Meritorious Service Ribbons among numerous other medals, awards, and ribbons. He obtained the rank of First Sergeant and was a US Army Recruiter. Mr. Kelley retired from the US Army in 2002 and went on to work for Sigvaris from 2002-2008 where he was third-shift supervisor and later worked for Vernay and Auto Glass Outfitters. He was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church and enjoyed camp meetings and other church activities when possible. He was compassionate for animals and often took in strays. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kelley was preceded in death by a daughter, Brittney Brazier; brothers, Charles Wayne Kelley and John Robert Hoard, Jr.; brother-in-law, James Edward (Buster) Brown; and a nephew, Jared Brown. Survivors include his wife of forty-five years; children, Shane Brazier of Ludowici, William Kelley and wife Natalie of St. Augustine, FL, Christopher Kelley and wife Megan of Enfield, CT, and Jacob Kelley and Brody Kelley, both of Zebulon; grandchildren, Hailey Miller and husband Jake, Conner Wilson, Jack Cooper, Olivia Kelley, Lydia Kelley and Amelia Kelley; great-grandchildren, Lane, Hollis and Fletcher Miller; sister, Pamela Kelley “Pam” Ray and husband Alan of Griffin; brother, Everett Dwight Hoard of Milner; brother-in-law, Thomas “Bud” Brown and wife Sonie of Orchard Hill; numerous nieces and nephews; and his well-loved pets. Funeral services for Willie Thomas “Tommy” Kelley, Jr. will be conducted Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of Haisten McCullough Funeral Home with Reverend Debby Stikes officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in Westwood Gardens. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:00 PM until the service hour at the funeral home. For online condolences please visit www.haistenmcculloughfuneralhome.com. Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin is in charge of arrangements.