Bishop  Keleman

William S. "Bill" Keleman

Former Round Valley educator dies


Friends of longtime Inyo County educator William S. "Bill" Keleman, 
who died Nov. 7 in Bellingham, Was, plan on dedicating a plaque in 
his memory at Round Valley School.

Keleman moved to Bishop in 1947 and was employed as a coach, shop 
teacher, business administrator and principal in the Bishop 
Elementary School system.  In 1960 he was named superintendent of 
the Round Valley Elementary School District where he was employed 
until his retirement in 1972.

"Many will remember him as an effective school administrator who 
took time to listen to the problems of students and teachers alike.  
His ability to communicate with young people was a life long 
strength," said Fred Patterson, the present Elm Street principal, 
and Inyo Supervisor Larry Calkins, a former principal at Pine 
Street School.

Keleman also served for many years as a member of the Inyo County 
Juvenile Justice commission, and as a commissioner for the Bishop 
Rural Fire District from 1970 through 1979.  He was a member of 
Bishop Elks Lodge 1603 and had recently been granted a lifetime 
membership by Lions Club International, having been a member of 
both the Bishop and Pine Creek Lions Club.

Keleman was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1912.  He was raised 
and educated in Southern California, prior to moving to the Bishop 
area, he had worked for the Farm Security Administration in 
Imperial County and had served with the American Red Cross during 
World War II, which included 28 months of duty in the Aleutian 
Islands.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth, of Bellingham; Ken and Laurie Keleman 
of Bellingham; Bruce and Karen Keleman of Chelan, Washington, and 
three granddaughters.

Contributions to the William S. Keleman Memorial Fund may be sent 
to the Bank of America, 563 North Main Street, Box 817, Bishop, CA  
93514

Additional information on the fund may be obtained from Bruce A. 
Routt, 872-5525, or Ken Baker, 387-2330.  Any excess money will be 
sent to the Hospice Cancer fund.

The family also suggests that memorial contributions can be made to 
Hospice of Watcom County, 1111 Cornwall Ave., Ste. 205, Bellingham, 
WA  98225; or to Northern Inyo Hosptial.

The Inyo Register
Bishop, Inyo County, California
November 23, 1983 - Page 5

Transcribed by Pat Houser for Inyo County GenWeb, July 10, 2004