Kelly was born Kelly Doyle Walker on November 29, 1953 in North Platte, Nebraska to George Lewis and Donna Marie Walker. He was adopted by Vernard "Jack" Oliver, shortly after his mother married Jack. Kelly attended school in Stapleton, Nebraska and North Platte. He joined the Job Corp in 1971 and received his G.E.D. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1972 and was medically discharged after his feet kept swelling while marching. He worked as a construction worker and truck driver in Nebraska, Colorado and Texas.
Kelly moved to Superior, Nebraska in the 1990's, and to Hastings, Nebraska in 2018.
He passed away in Hastings, Nebraska on May 4, 2020 after a battle with the Coronavirus.
Kelly had a passion for cars. He was granted a wish by AseraCare Hospice and Good Samaritan Society in Hastings last summer when they arranged for him to go for a ride in a 1965 Pontiac GTO. Besides his love for cars, he adored his dog, Amy Sue.
He was preceded in death by his biological father, Buster Walker; his dad, Jack Olivier; his mother, Donna Oliver; and three brothers, Gary Lee Oliver, Randall Jack Oliver and David Eugene Oliver.
Kelly is survived by his daughter, Hilary Hessel of Albuquerque, New Mexico and one grandchild; sisters, Debra Vieweg of Kiowa, Colorado and Sandy Tanner of Fort Collins, Colorado; his brother, Rodger Kevin Oliver of Cheyenne, Wyoming; an uncle, Virgil Rodgers of North Platte, Nebraska; an aunt, Lynis Hefner of White Deere, Texas; 12 nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.
Kelly will be buried at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska. A graveside service will be held at a later date.