April 20, 1947 - Dec. 9, 2012

BRISTOL — William D. "Bill" Keeley Sr., 65, of Bristol, passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, at Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born April 20, 1947, in Elkhart to Dale and Charlotte (Harris) Keeley.

On May 14, 1983, he married Carol L. (Wineland) Keeley in Elkhart. She survives at home.

Other survivors include two sons, William D. (Ernie) Keeley Jr. of Elkhart and Thomas A. (Missy) Keeley of Indianapolis; three sisters, Mary (Anco) Broekhaizen of Decatur, Mich., Frances (Pat) Wise of Frankfort, Ky., and Patty (Mike) Puckett; two brothers, James (Debbie) Keeley of North Liberty and John Keeley of Frankfort, Ky.; four grandchildren, Alyssa and Alexis Keeley of Elkhart and Bryan and Maddie Keeley of Indianapolis; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends who loved him dearly.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Wright Keeley.

Bill was a graduate of Edwardsburg High School class of 1966 and later served in the U.S. Army. Prior to his retirement in 2011, he worked as chief manufacturing engineer at Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Co. Inc. for 41 years.

Bill served as an instructor for the former Acme Institute in South Bend and the Elkhart Area Career Center. He was a member and served on the manufacturing advisory board at Southwestern Michigan College and a former member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

He was an avid fisherman and naturalist.

A gathering of family and friends will be one hour prior to the 4 p.m. memorial service on Saturday, Dec., 15, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Gary Sheets will officiate. The U.S. Army and DAV 19 will render military funeral honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue, 3032 47th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53144; or 2nd Chance Small Dog Rescue, 722 W. Bristol St., Suite C, Elkhart, IN 46514.

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