William A. Kelly, 85, of Warrenville, and formerly Palatine, a data processing expert whose involvement with IBM’s first computers landed him a job at the Civic Opera House in Chicago during World War II, died Tuesday, June 13, in Edward Hospital in Naperville. Mr. Kelly’s knowledge of the new machines was quickly tapped by the Army, which stationed him in its Records Division in Chicago’s Loop. “He got by often on less than 50 cents a day, seeing how riding the “L” was free for servicemen and food was provided by the Army,” said his son, John Kelly. Mr. Kelly, born in Chicago, was raised in East Rogers Park. He left the Army as a master sergeant. Mr. Kelly went on to work in data processing for the Walter Johnson Candy Co. and later with a suburban insurance company. “He retired at age 70 and always wanted to see the Grand Canyon,” his son said. “We took care of that in 1993 with a family reunion in Arizona.” A committed Chicago Cubs fan, Mr. Kelly often questioned the contrary loyalty his sons developed for the White Sox. “He said he must have dropped me on my head at birth for backing the Sox,” his son said. A kind man who came to maturity during the Great Depression, Mr. Kelly never learned to trust the modern world of investment, his son said. “Still, he left us with a million kind words,” his son said. Other survivors include three sons, William, Thomas and Joseph; a sister, Margaret Powers; two brothers, James and Robert; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Irene Catholic Church, 28W531 Warrenville Rd., Warrenville.
