William "Donnie" Kellam

William “Donnie” Kellam, age 84, of Dagsboro, Delaware, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, at his home, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on May 17, 1941, in Belle Haven, Virginia, Donnie was raised on a family farm in Onancock, where he learned the lasting values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. In his younger years, he spent winters working in a poultry plant in Selbyville, Delaware, where he met the love of his life, Joyce A. Bishop. They married in 1964 and built a devoted partnership that lasted 61 years.

After settling in Delaware, Donnie worked at DuPont in Seaford before purchasing a local garage in Ocean View in 1971. He renamed it Kellam’s Service Station and, through honesty and tireless effort, turned it into a trusted community business that he operated for 29 years until his retirement in December 2000. He was an avid collector, especially of antique gas pumps, and took great pleasure in sharing his treasures with visitors. Donnie also maintained a lifelong love of gardening, happily sharing the fruits and vegetables he grew with neighbors and residents of The Point Farm. A longtime member of Mariner’s Bethel Global Methodist Church, he enjoyed bowling in his younger years, following NASCAR, and spending time at local casinos.

Above all, Donnie was remembered as a true “people person” whose warm smile, gift for conversation, and willingness to help others touched everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Dorothy (Bundick) Kellam, and his sister, Betty J. Robbins, and her husband, Dallas. Donnie is survived by his loving wife, Joyce A. Kellam; his children, Tammy Mitchell and husband Dean of Ocean View, Lisa Hastings and husband Barry of Seaford, and Bill Kellam and Wendy Mitchell of Gumboro; six cherished grandchildren, Scott Mitchell and wife Caila, Meredith Mitchell, Barry Hastings II, Jennifer Hastings, Kali Kellam, and Slade Kellam; and seven great-grandchildren who brought him great pride and joy.