William ‘Bill’ Newton Keith, 90
A celebration of life in honor of William “Bill” Newton Keith, 90, of Pontiac, will be held at noon Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at the Price Place Church and Cemetery with a meal to follow at the Pontiac Fire Station.
He died Jan. 4, 2021. He was born on March 2, 1930, to William and Pauline (Reed) Keith in St. Louis.
On Aug. 30, 1952, he married the love of his life, Betty Ann (Seay), and together they had six children. Bill worked as a journeyman wireman in St. Louis for 71 years as a proud IBEW member, working most of those years doing electrical engineering for Anheuser-Busch. He and his wife, Betty, retired to Pontiac in the early 1990s so he could fish Bull Shoals Lake. He spent his life sharing knowledge with anyone who was willing to learn. He spent many years teaching everything from photography to math to electrical engineering. He loved photography, both personally and professionally. He worked a second job as a criminal and forensic photographer, helping aid investigators in St. Louis. He was always photographing his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, flowers, astronomical events and his property in Pontiac. He was gifted in woodworking and enjoyed spending hours in his shop creating beautiful gifts for his beloved family and friends. He was a talented piano player and composed several beautiful pieces of work. His most adored accomplishment was his grandchildren.
He is survived by five children: William “Bill” (Denise) Keith, Robert “Bob” (Kathy), Elizabeth “Betsy” Keith, Barbara (Dave) Keith and Brenda Wilcox; one son-in-law, Steve Deusell; 16 grandchildren: Anna, Sharon, William “Bill”, Thomas, Mark, Bill, Michelle, Stephanie, Samuel, Jamie, Samantha, Celeste, Angela and his favorite granddaughter, Sandra. He also leaves behind 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Betty. Since his passing, he has been joined in death by his eldest daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Deusell and grandson Robert Wilcox.