William Eugene Keller

William Eugene Keller, 90, of Chiefland, Florida, passed away March 21, 2023. He was born June 24, 1932 in Kokomo, Indiana to the late Russell Emerson Keller and Ada Mae Hudson Keller. The Keller family moved to Frostproof, Florida, in 1934, and bought several acres on Lake Clinch. Bill grew up in Frostproof, and enjoyed the outdoor life, swimming and fishing in the lake. He attended Frostproof High School, and completed the tenth grade. Bill spent his working life in Tampa. He was a union bricklayer, and later worked for Alert Refractories, and for Graphite Maintenance, in Mulberry. He was always interested in Florida history, and for years, he collected artifacts from the Second Seminole War. After he retired, he moved to Arizona, and tried his hand at panning for gold, but he didn’t make his fortune there. When he moved back to Florida, he settled in Chiefland, where he enjoyed line dancing, playing cards, fishing, and his cats, Doofus, and Simon. He was a member of Long Pond Baptist Church in Chiefland, Florida. Bill was preceded in death by his son, William “Billy” Keller, and by his brothers, Merrill, Howard, and John Keller. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Barbara Joan Keller of Chiefland, Florida; daughter, Sherry Lynne Keller of Tampa, Florida; two grandchildren, Miranda Bailey, of Tacoma, Washington, and Russell Bailey, of Bradenton, Florida; great granddaughter, Juniper Jean Pearl, of Tacoma, Washington; sisters-in-law, Alice Keller of Geneva, Florida, Joyce Keller of Ruskin, Florida, Carol Anderson of McBain, Michigan, and Shirley Birge, of Haines City, Florida, and by his lifelong friend, Horace Branch, of Panasoffkee, Florida. Funeral services for Mr. Keller will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 27, 2023 at the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chiefland Chapel with Rev. Chuck Cook officiating. Interment will follow at the Chiefland Cemetery. Visitation is at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Arrangements have been placed under the care of the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chiefland Chapel, with locations in Cross City 352-498-5400 and Chiefland 352-493-0050. Please sign the online guest book at rickgoodingfuneralhomes.com.

William Eugene Keller

June 24, 1932 - March 21, 2023