William Kent Kelsey, age 74, passed away on January 17, 2021. Kent (aka Hook ‘em) was born in Harriman, TN, on August 17, 1946, to the late Beryl and Josephine Kelsey.
Because of his Father’s job, the family moved to Dillon, SC, where he graduated from Dillon High School. After high school he went to Montreat-Anderson for college. Kent was smart, but not studious, and after one semester flunked out.
He moved back to Dillon, SC, and started a band, The Original Past Blue Rhythms. Kent was lead singer and guitarist, with gigs in Cherry Grove and Myrtle Beach. Thinking he might be drafted in the Vietnam war, Kent joined the National Guard for a two year hitch. Being in the National Guard really messed up his weekends so he joined the Army. He went to Officer Candidate School and was sent to TUY HOA, Vietnam, in 1968 as a First Lieutenant. His first daughter Lisa was born while he was in Vietnam in 1969. With only 23 days left on his tour, he was hit with a rocket propelled grenade and AIR EVAC to Tokyo for recovery.
After returning from Vietnam, he graduated from UNC-CH on the GI bill. He was a lifelong Tarheel fan, and rarely missed an ACC basketball tournament. He worked for the state of NC at Disability Determination Services as a Supervisor and Social Security Hearing Officer. His second daughter Tonya was born in 1974.
Kent had a lot of interests and hobbies. He loved to ride his BMW motorcycle on trips with his buddies across the country, both to California and then to Alaska. He was an avid cyclist, and twice a year would ride his bicycle to Nags Head, NC. In 1992 he married Vicky Wilson of Raleigh.
His other interests included hunting, fishing, reading, feeding the birds, entertaining friends and family, and cooking. His annual Christmas Eve party was legendary. Kent was known for his funny jokes and long winded but entertaining stories, which he very much relished repeating many times over. Kent had a bitingly sarcastic wit, and often told you the truth even if it was something you did not want to hear. Kent was always happy, with a great disposition who never met a stranger.
He is survived by his brother, Joe B. Kelsey, and his sister Janet Boyette (Rodney). Also surviving are his wife Vicky, his daughters Lisa Montague (James) and Tonya Chapman (partner Mark Ritter). Grandchildren Collin, Taylor, Dylan, and Ruffin. He will be missed by his dogs Sadie and Jameson.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice are appreciated. His two favorite charities are Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Amvets Dept of N.C. Service Foundation. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh.
