William L. Kelly, 78, Lawrence, are pending and will be announced by Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Mr. Kelly died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998, at his home. He was born Sept. 13, 1920, in Kearney, Neb., the son of Leo A. and Gertrude Beachler. He earned a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Nebraska in 1947 and a master's degree in 1948. He was a member of the Army during World War II and a conductor in the band. The band was stationed in a replacement depot in New Caledonia and played in Australia, New Zealand and Guadalcanal. He taught at McCook High School in Nebraska for 10 years. He later taught at Western State College, Gunnison, Colo. He earned his Ed.D. in music education from Kansas University in 1963, and was later named the associate dean of educational services. He retired from this position in 1987. He played the clarinet in the Lawrence City Band in the 1960s and began conducting it in 1969. In 1988, the city named the gazebo bandstand in South Park the "William L. Kelly Bandstand" in his honor. While under his direction, the band was recognized with the Sudler Scroll, the nation's most prestigious award for city bands. He retired as conductor in 1992. He and his wife, Barbara, began and directed the Brad Fisher Memorial Bell Choir at Plymouth Congregational Church, Lawrence, in 1974. They developed the program into 10 choirs, which received national and international recognition. He was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, the American Band Master's Assn., Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Lambda and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfona, and Sons of the American Revolution. He also served as president of the Musicians Union, Local No. 512. He was an honorary member of Mu Phi Epsilon and the Lawrence Music Club. He married Barbara Ann Vesely on Dec. 21, 1947, in Crete, Neb. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son Bill Kelly, Lawrence; three daughters, Kathy Scannell, Topeka, Mary Jo Shipley, Olathe, and Susan Bracciano, St. Joseph, Mo.; a sister, Mary Squire, St. Louis; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Vesely Kelly, in 1960. Thursday, November 5, 1998 ljworld Memorial services for William L. Kelly, 78, Lawrence, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Plymouth Congregational Church. Private inurment will be held at Pioneer Cemetery on the Kansas University campus.