Charlemagne: Dr. William Kelly honored for 35 years of service

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Dr. William Kelly was honored with a Charlemagne lifetime achievement award February 3 at Pheasant Run Resort for the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce 90th Annual Charlemagne Awards event.

Updated: March 15, 2012 8:01AM

ST. CHARLES — After 35 years of aligning smiles in St. Charles, Dr. William Kelly was honored with a Charlemagne lifetime achievement award earlier this month at Pheasant Run Resort for the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce 90th Annual Charlemagne Awards event.

Jim Keller, partner at OnPath Financial LLC, and the chamber’s 2012 chairman of the board, explained the Charlemagne award recognizes an individual whose contributions have continuously impacted St. Charles.

“The commitment made to our community by Charlemagne winners is what makes this town a great place to live and raise a family,” said Keller, noting that the city of St. Charles was awarded with Civic Image, for being named No. 1 City for Families by Better Homes & Gardens last year.

Kelly’s first orthodontic office was at 116½ W. Main St., and he later built a new office at 11 S. Sixth St. His son, Dr. David Kelly, joined the practice in 2003. The two accepted the clinic’s 35th anniversary award earlier in the evening.

Active with the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA), Special Olympics, Day One Network, St. Charles Kiwanis Club, United Way, St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, St. Charles Community Chest and St. Patrick Catholic Church, Kelly has been twice recognized as Family of the Year with FVSRA with his wife of 40 years, Joelle, and their five children, Dan, Mike, Joe, Claire and David.

St. Charles resident Jennifer Sherman said she was one of the Charlemagne winner’s patients almost 30 years ago.

“When my family moved to St. Charles in 1984, I had a mouthful of braces and no orthodontist,” said Sherman, who is director of business operations for Onesti Entertainment and accepted a Civic Image Award for Arcada Theatre. “Dr. Kelly came highly recommended, and my parents and I will always remember his kindness and care during a stressful time.”

Tom Anderson, Charlemagne winner in 1991, said his family’s restaurant, Colonial Café & Ice Cream, provided every guest with a gift certificate for a turtle sundae. His son Clint Anderson, president of Colonial, accepted the award for the business’ 110th anniversary.

Others accepting awards included Bob and Sue McDowell of McDowell Remodeling for their 40th anniversary; and Ray Ochromowicz, executive director of the St. Charles Park District, for the district’s 100th anniversary, and park development and restoration. Steve Martin, vice president of First State Bank, was honored with a Community Development award for purchasing the former Amcore Bank building at 2601 Oak St. and renovating it for First State Bank when it acquired Valley Community Bank in February 2011. “We have about three times the space now,” Martin said.

St. Charles Councilman Bill Turner said his new business, St. Charles Florist & Gifts, provided the floral centerpieces at the event. He said the shop, at 2701 W. Main St., fulfills a dream he’s had since retiring.

More information on the Charlemagne Awards is available at www.stcharleschamber.com.