William J. Ely

William Jonas Ely Sr. (December 29, 1911 – September 20, 2017) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He graduated from the United States Military Academy class of 1933 and earned a master's degree in civil engineering from Cornell University in 1936. He served during World War II with the United States Army, and was stationed in Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan. He also served with the United States Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s, in the Midway Islands. He was a Deputy Commanding General of the Army Development & Logistic Command and Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

Ely was born in Sycamore, Pennsylvania, the son of James Ross and Julia Folsom "Flossie" (Dille) Ely. His awards included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Legions of Merit. After his retirement, Ely, who was an avid golfer, designed, constructed and operated the Double Dam Golf Course near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He won 10 championships, had nine hole-in-ones and shot his age more than 2000 times. He gave up golf when he turned 100 in 2011.