Background
Kennerly, Robert Wilson was born on February 13, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Samuel Wilson and Margaret Claire (Kelley) Kennerly.
Kennerly, Robert Wilson was born on February 13, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Samuel Wilson and Margaret Claire (Kelley) Kennerly.
In 1958, Kennerly entered Arizona politics by running for Precinct Committeeman in Phoenix"s 31st District. He was elected and served a full term, becoming active in community organizations. In 1962, he was elected to the Yuma City Council, and in 1966 he ran unsuccessfully for reelection.
Foreign the next ten years, he served actively on the District 4 Council of Governments.
In 1976, Kennerly was elected as a Democrat to the Board of Supervisors in Yuma County"s District 1, which is a very diverse socio-economic district, and he was reelected in 1980, serving as Chairman during both terms. In 1984, Governor Babbitt appointed him to the Arizona Board of Pardons and Parole where he served until 1989.
Kennerly also served on the Commission on Appellate and Supreme Court Appointments for the State of Arizona and as Self-Governance Coordinator/Planner and Director of Gaming for the Cocopah Indian Tribe, instrumental in the development of an 18-hole golf course, a 500-unit Recreation Vehicle park, a bingo hall, and a casino. As a community leader, Kennerly was one of the founders of the Southern Arizona Bank of Yuma, and he served on the Board of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce.
He was the first President of Caballeros de Yuma and served as the Publicity Director for the Yuma Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of which he is a lifetime member.
Kennerly is the son of Samuel Wilson Kennerly of Harrington, Delaware, and Margaret Claire Kelly of North Attleborough, Massachusetts. Together, they had four daughters, Robin, Kathryn, Carol and Bunny.
Councilman City of Yuma, 1962-1966. County supervisor County of Yuma, 1976-1984. Member Arizona Parole Board, Phoenix, 1984-1988.
Member Rotary (charter member Yuma chapter, chapter president 1965).
Married Jeannette Wade, June 14, 1947. Children: Kathryn, Carol, Margaret, Robin.