William DAVID Neely left this world Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Beacon Ridge nursing home and moved on to take his place in the kingdom of heaven.
He is survived by a brother, Daniel Jay Neely, a sister, Bonnie Jean (Neely) McBroom, brother-in-law Jan McBroom, and a niece, Jessica Lynn McBroom. He is also survived by an aunt, Merry Gene (Neely) Bartley and uncles, Blake Neely and spouse Kay (Smathers) Neely and Blane Neely and spouse Heather (Getty) Neely. In addition, he is survived by numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Alton and Patricia Anna (Etzel) Neely, a brother, Gary Eugene Neely, both sets of grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
I am William DAVID Neely, and I’m writing this obituary myself. I’ve always been called David. Never William. Don’t know why.
My childhood was the BEST. I grew up in a time when you trusted everyone until they gave you a reason not to. Not like today. Between family, church, school, sports, Boy Scouts, acres of land, a bicycle that took me everywhere, horses, ponies, cats, dogs, a burro, a goat and a couple wild animals, my dance card was full every day. It was wonderful.
The next 20 years were spent in a variety of jobs and seeking my perfect mate. I never found her. Definitely the biggest disappointment of my life.
We finally come to the point in my life where I focused on the things that made me happier and a better person. I put myself through college and graduated with honors in Geoscience. I became successful in a position with a local business where I worked to retirement after 20+ years. I also became an avid collector of old electric Christmas lights (Not as weird as it sounds). I’ve amassed a fairly comprehensive collection from 1903 to the late 50’s. And that brings us to today.
FAREWELL TOUR DATES SET
A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY
3 shows over 3 days at 2 different venues. Wednesday, July 29th from 4 to 6 at Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory, Thursday, July 30th from 11 to 1, also at Rairigh-Bence. And finally, thanks to Rupert Funeral Homes in Knox, PA, I’ll be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Knox on Friday, July 31st from 10:30 to 11:15 for visitation with final services immediately following. A light picnic style lunch to be served after.
Pictures and videos are encouraged.
Please attend one or all of these events, I’ve lost a lot of friends over the years. I could use some replacements.
And I am asking for anyone who can afford it to send me flowers. I want flowers to make the whole room look and smell amazing. I would like them to come from Denise at the Flower Gallery because of our long-standing friendship, but don’t get me wrong, I’ll be happy with flowers from anyone and anywhere. I love flowers.
If you’re a bagpiper living near Knox, PA, I’d love to have “Amazing Grace” played at my service at St. Paul’s Lutheran. If you have 100 bagpiper friends, please ask them to come. Thank you.
Final Thought: Most of us will never get the chance to impact the world. The best we all can do is to brighten our little corner of it. If we all do that, the world will be a better place.
Online condolences may be made by visiting rbfh.net.
