Dr. Alfred William (Bill) Neely, Jr, MD. passed away peacefully on Saturday 8th June 2024 in Pinos Altos, NM. He was born 28th Feb. 1951 in Los Angeles, CA, and grew up in Northbrook, IL. He was an Eagle Scout, and an Illinois State National HS Science Award winner all through high school, graduating with top honors from Glenbrook North. He received his degrees in physics and psychology from Dartmouth College, medical degree from UNM, and completed his internship at UCLA Medical Center before making his home in Silver City. He was an emergency room doctor at Gila Regional Medical Center for 37 years, retiring in 2016. A Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, Bill helped to start the EMS for the SW corner of New Mexico and worked as director for NM for several years.

He was curious, loved life and tried to live it to the fullest, always working with great energy and focus. After graduating medical school, he and a fellow physician and friend ventured to Peru to help vaccinate indigenous communities in the Andes for the US State Dept. He never failed to go the extra mile to help others throughout his extensive travels around the world. He was an adjunct professor of astronomy at Western New Mexico University, receiving numerous grants for his NFO telescope project, and fostering educational opportunities for Silver City schoolchildren including the mobile Starlab Planetarium and the construction of Silver City's sidewalk solar system. Asteroid 13860 Neely was named in honor of his contributions to astronomy. He loved the arts and was active in community art projects like Monsoon Puppets. Burning Man was one of his favorite annual events to attend at which he created many highly praised interactive art projects. He was very proud of the grants he received to make his ideas come alive. In the Early 2000's, he travelled to London with great friends to compete on the reality TV show Junk Yard Wars. Bill was a rancher with a working ranch in the Mimbres Valley. He was an artist, party event planner (with annual gatherings at the Buffalo and Buckhorn in past years), avid backpacker (horseback and foot), a hiker and a lifelong adventurer. He travelled all over the world to see solar eclipses.

Dr. Neely is survived by his sons Dr. Tyler William Neely, Queensland, Australia and Nick Zacharia Neely, San Antonio, TX, their wives Samantha Lemons and Melissa Wild Neely, grandchild Walter Graeme Neely, sister Hilarie Neely Job, Sun Valley, ID, and partner Martha Ross Connors, Pinos Altos. He was a loving father, brother and son to his parents Eloise and Alfred Neely (dec.). This love was nurtured through family twice-a-year travels as kids when the Neely station wagon would find a part of the US to vacation and explore each historical monument, museum and cemetery to immerse in history, visiting almost all 50 states. On a memorable trip after his graduation from medical school, the family travelled south from Albuquerque to hike and visit historical sites in western New Mexico. The time he spent in hot springs was always a favorite to restore his mind and body. A celebration of life will be planned for a future time.