TD,
AOL puts a few different "processes" on your computer. Among them...
One is for the application itself.
A second is for the Systray icon.
A third is used for the "onshutdown" updates.....The little box that says AOL is updating files before shutting down.
The icon acts as a "process" and will run until it is removed as you now know.
If you look at the System Startup on a computer using AOL, you will be amazed at what runs.
Good luck,
Techie