William Manchester Keyworth

William Manchester Keyworth was born March 26, 1931. He left this Earthly life to join his loving wife Ruby and his family in GOD’S kingdom on July 25, 2025.

He is survived by his 4 loving children, William Hayden Keyworth (Noime), Thomas Ross Keyworth (Linda), Rhonda Keyworth Brown (Albert), Lisa Keyworth Love (David).

He leaves behind 7 grandchildren, William, Tracy, Tobi, Tom, Jenny, Kaylee, & Matthew; 7 great grandchildren, Nicholas, Tyler, Kevin, Blaine, Karleigh, Sage & Sutton, and 1 great, great granddaughter, Emmalynn. Two brothers- Marion Jr, & Robert, and two sisters- Rose and Polly

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Ruby, his parents, Marion Atwell Keyworth and Mary Elizabeth Birdsall Keyworth.

He spent the first 18 years of his life living and working on his father’s dairy farm in the small community of Almeda, Texas. He graduated from San Jacinto High School in Houston in 1949 where he was a member of “Track and Field team and lettered in Track running the “440” yard race. After marriage in 1949, he took a job driving a milk truck for 2 years. In 1951 he went to work full time for his father’s dairy milking cows seven days a week, twice a day. His day began at 4:00 a.m. and ended around 7:00 p.m.

This was a normal workday for a dairyman. Besides milking cows, after a quick breakfast, there were plenty of other chores to do. Feeding and taking care of cows, plowing, planting, hay baling, fence repairs, and multiple other jobs to complete rain or shine, hot or cold. He did it knowing it was a way of life his grandmother started in the early 1900s.

He took side jobs doing carpentry work to ensure his family had a good life. This side work gave him the experience to build his own house with the help of his father and a friend or two, he completed his first house in 1953. With the addition of two daughters, he added on nearly doubling the original size plus a garage. Billy Keyworth never stopped working to provide for his family.

In 1960, he took a giant leap in the dairy business, sold his home, bought his father’s dairy cows and equipment as well as the operation of family friends to include cows, tractors, farm implements, etc. He was milking 60-75 cows twice a day. The whole family was excited and everyone pitched in. Within a year he acquired a new Ford tractor, new plow and soon a new 1960 Red and white Ford Galaxy.

Being the industrious man that he was, he secured a contract with a major Oil company to mow pipeline right of ways for a couple of years to enhance his income.

Finally in 1966 with new EPA rules and expensive county requirements and milk prices stagnant, he reluctantly chose to auction off his milk cows and most of the equipment. He started a small herd of beef cattle the last year which helped provide a future income. He took a position as a feed salesman for Gulf Coast Feed. With his knowledge and reputation among dairymen, he was successful in this new endeavor. When Gulf Coast opened a new branch in Sugar Land in 1969 he was promoted to manager and all the long days on the road were traded for an office position.

While managing the new branch, his secretary introduced him to her cousin, Ruby Nichols in 1971. He was immediately smitten by this beautiful redheaded lady. They were married on July 25, 1971.

Still committed to improving his lifestyle, he and Ruby decided to try a business that surprised everyone…. Children’s Day Care and named it Keyworth Kiddie Korner. They began the business in a small house which was remodeled to meet State Licensed day care facility. They were successful to the point that he built a new facility in the Almeda/Post Oak area. After the success of that facility, they built a third day care center in the Dairy Ashford area.

After a few years of operating all three-day care centers, they leased all three and had the foresight to maintain the valuable property.

In 1979 Billy and Ruby chose to lease a home in Key Allegro.

They eventually bought a lot in Key Allegro and built the home of their dreams.

In 1980 Billy completed his pilot training and purchased a Cessna 172. This purchase helped him to make flights to check on and maintain the day care buildings.

He served on the Rockport Planning and Zoning board, board member of directors Key Allegro Property Owners Association, President of Key Allegro Men’s Club, president of the Rockport Country Club and Rockport Country Club Men's golf association.

He was the long-time leader of the NOON Group. He shot 9 holes in one and holds the record to date. Pretty impressive since he never golfed until age 50.

Billy Keyworth lived a full, happy and healthy life. He was married to Ruby for 43 years and passed away on July 25, 2025, which would have been their 54th anniversary. He never gave up and never rested until July 25, 2025. Rest in peace Daddy, we all love you so much.