About Bill Kelly
William H. Kelly was the colorful and outspoken former mayor of the Village of Asharoken. Known for his quick wit and trademark cigar, Bill was most importantly a staunch advocate for local home rule and municipal government. He delivered and proved that a small government could still be a powerful government.
Bill served as mayor of the Long Island village from 1982 to 2008, and died in 2014 at the age of 73. Born in Kingston, NY, he was educated in the Kingston Public Schools and received a degree in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University and a Master’s Degree in Economics from Georgetown University. He moved to Long Island where he owned WHK Leasing, a high technology leasing company. He was a passionate reader, particularly of the history of the Civil War, with a personal library of 6,000 books. Mr. Kelly was a lifelong Kiwanian starting in high school and continuing with memberships in clubs both on Long Island and in Virginia. He received the Legion of Honor award for 30 years of membership in Kiwanis.