William Harry Keller Jr.

1934 - 2023

William Harry Keller, Jr.
November 17, 1934 - April 17, 2023
Raleigh, North Carolina - William Harry Keller, Jr., 88, passed away on Monday, April 17, 2023 after a long journey with Alzheimer's/Dementia. He was born in Wake County North Carolina on November 17, 1934 to the late William Harry Keller, Sr. and Myrle Carrington Keller. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Smith Keller. William graduated from Corinth Holders High School in Zebulon in 1952 and from North Carolina State College in 1957. He served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers and was stationed in Germany. (One of his favorite stories was that he was on maneuvers with Elvis Presley.) After serving in the military, he worked with Charlotte Parks and Recreation and Sears before he followed in his parent's footsteps in education as a teacher at East Wake High School, retiring from the school system after 28 years. After retiring, Bill and Margaret traveled extensively all over the US and the world. He loved telling stories, talking to anyone and everyone, the NC State Wolfpack, chocolate milkshakes, and his family. A lifelong interest in flying was realized in 1966 with lessons at the Knightdale Airport. He pursued his private pilot license and continued flying for over 50 years. He joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1978, eventually logging over 1500 hours. He was proud of the service he was able to provide including search and rescue and working with local and federal law enforcement. If he wasn't at home, he was at the airport.
In addition to his wife of 48 years, William is survived by his devoted son, Jeff and daughter-in-law, Lynette Hawley of Raleigh; grandchildren, Erin Hawley Files (Mikey) of Asheville, Luke Marshall Hawley of Raleigh, and Caleb Byrd Hawley of Raleigh; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Pat Hyatt, George Smith (Marion), Nellie Sutton (CL), JG Smith-deceased (Nancy), Ethel Smith (Hugh), and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that if you feel led to give, please consider one of the following charities that were dear to him: Civil Air Patrol - NC Wing (gocivilairpatrol.com); SPCA of Wake County (donate.spcawake.org); Transitions LifeCare (transitionslifecare.org/donate); or The Alzheimer's Association (act.alz.org).
The family will receive friends and family on Sunday, April 23rd from 2:00 – 3:30pm at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale NC 27545 with burial to follow at Zebulon Town Cemetery, 652-698 N. Gill Street, Zebulon NC 27597.
Condolences to the family may be sent to poolefuneral.com under Tributes.