William "Bill" Clifford Ely, Jr. passed into the Lord's loving hands the morning of May 4, 2022. He was born in Davisville, Rhode Island on April 19, 1935, and had recently enjoyed his 87th Birthday in Yorktown, VA. He was the first son of William Clifford, Sr. and Georgieanna Ely, and the 2nd of 8 children. He enlisted in the US Army in 1953, serving as a paratrooper and infantry in Korea. He reenlisted in the US Air Force as a Jet Aircraft Mechanic. As a veteran he was honorably discharged and joined the team at United Aircraft/Pratt & Whitney. He married his lifelong sweetheart, Glenda, and began a new adventure in Florida's tropical paradise.

Bill was very strong in body, mind and spirit. He was an outstanding provider for his family, and excelled in his career as an Insurance Agent in Florida. He achieved the highest awards at Metropolitan Life and Liberty Life, and established the Ely Insurance Agency in Tampa's Town and Country neighborhood, expanding to automotive insurance offerings from several companies. Glenda joined the agency and their business thrived.

Bill and Glenda enjoyed many years traveling the waters of the Tampa Bay area in their Sea Ray boats, especially enjoying the venues of the St. Petersburg and Vinoy Pier neighborhoods. They built and lived in several homes over the years, including Pelican Island and East Lake Woodlands. Upon retirement, Bill and Glenda built a home in Palm Coast, FL, and then another in the Heritage Pines community in Hudson, Florida. In 2021, Bill & Glenda moved to Yorktown, VA, opening opportunity to grow closer to their family in Virginia.

Bill joins his son William Clifford, III in eternity; and is survived by his loving wife Glenda; daughter Star; son Jay; sisters, Phoebe and Georgie; grandchildren, Autumn, Katie, Khrystyne, Alyssa, Jeff, Jon and Jo; and great-grandchildren, Max, Theo, Korey, Trinity, Kennedy, Kross, Easton, Haze, Andrew, Bridgette and Chloe. His sense of humor will be greatly missed, and his work-ethic will live on for generations.

A small private family service will be held in early June, in the Tampa Bay area.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.