William Kelldorf, Jr.

William Franklin Neils Kelldorf Jr. (Bill) born 14th June 1933, in Austin, Texas to William F. N. Kelldorf Sr. and Almeda Marie Findeisen.

He graduated from Taylor High School and North Texas State University in Denton. After graduating college, he went to work for Shell Oil Company on his 21st birthday. His professional life was interrupted when he went to the army to serve in the 4th Armored Division Signal Corp. He finished his military service as Sargent First Class. He returned to Shell Oil and worked for them for thirty nine years. He began his first job at Shell as a geological draftsman and retired as the Manager of Environmental Engineering of the Production Department for Rocky Mountain area and the Permian Basin area of West Texas and was also manager of Regulatory Affairs for the same areas at the same time. During his career he published several times in the Journal of Petroleum Technology and in World Oil. He attended as Shell’s representative at the International Engineering Convention in The Hague Netherlands. He conducted an experimental fracturing research project for Sandia Corporation and was a pioneer of radio-active tracer surveying in the oil industry.

After retiring from Shell Oil, Bill and his wife retired in Tyler, Texas where they enjoyed being involved in the community both with various charities and with the City of Tyler local government. Bill served on the Parks and Recreation Board, the Board of Adjustment, as a volunteer with the police department, Tasca, and Meals on Wheels. However, his favorite volunteer effort was with the Master Gardeners, the Tyler Rose Garden and helping neighbors.

Survivors are his wife of 61 years, Loretta Adams Kelldorf; daughter Jamie Kelldorf Phend and her husband Donald Phend of Denver, Colorado; Karel Hadacek and her husband Matthew Hadacek, granddaughter Danika Hadacek, granddaughter Kinsey Garrett, and grandson Spencer Garrett, all of Denver, Colorado; granddaughter Stephanie Garrett of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Stacie and Steve McCans of Fort Worth; and Bill’s twin sister Almeda Roop of Midland, Texas; and nieces and nephews.

Services will be Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 2 PM, Taylor City Cemetery, Texas, Lutheran Pastor George McQually presiding. (Providence Funeral Home in Taylor, Texas.)