Obituary of William J. McKeel

William J. “Bill” McKeel was born on September 25, 1932 in Holdenville, OK to Bess (Hall) and William Bynum McKeel. Bill spent his early childhood in Claremore, OK then moved to Ada, OK where he graduated from Ada High School in 1950. After graduation, he joined the Navy where he met his future wife, Betty Pippenger in Memphis, TN. They were wed on December 18, 1954 in Michie, TN and lived in the Panama Canal Zone until Bill was discharged. In 1956 they moved to Oklahoma where Bill attended the University of Oklahoma and completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering in 1959. After college Bill began his career with Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa. Bill and Betty lived most of their lives in Tulsa where they raised their three children, Simone, Betsy and Wade. Bill retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1986 and became active in many organizations and clubs including the Tulsa Elks Lodge #946, McDonnell Douglas Retirees, Woodland Hills Mall Walkers, and the Oklahoma Panama Canal Society. In 2000,Bill created and became the web master for the adahighclassof50.com website. Bill passed from this life on October 3, 2015 at the age of 83. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his children, Betsy Low and Wade McKeel; and his grandson Anthony Low. Bill is survived by his daughter, Simone Lewis; son-in-law, Ken Low; grandchildren, John Low, Will Lewis and his wife, Meredith, Charley Lewis and Robert Low and one great granddaughter, Mara Lewis. Memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 24, 2015 in the Ninde Brookside Chapel.