Westfield
Reverend J. William “Bill” Keith Jr., 69, of Westfield, Indiana, retired United Methodist Church Pastor, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at the Franklin United Methodist Community in Franklin, Indiana.
He was born May 17, 1946, in Louisville, Kentucky to the Reverend James William Keith and Gladys M. (Moore) Keith. He married Pamela (Hixon) Keith who preceded him in death on Dec. 8, 2008.
He was a graduate of the University of Evansville and Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. In 1974, he received his ordination as Deacon and in 1977 an Elder in the South Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. His ministerial appointments were at Hamlet United Methodist Church from 1974 to 1976, Petersville United Methodist Church from 1976 to 1981, Corydon United Methodist Church from 1981 to 1985, DePauw Memorial United Methodist Church in New Albany from 1985 to 1990, Sandy Hook United Methodist Church in Columbus 1990 to 2000, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Bloomington from 2000 to 2002, District Superintendent of the Indianapolis East District 2002 to 2009 and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Carmel until his retirement in 2013.
He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
A memorial service and celebration of life for the Reverend J. William “Bill” Keith Jr. will be conducted at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, at St. Marks United Methodist Church, 4780 East 126th Street, Carmel, Indiana 46033 with a reception following the service.
Survivors include his sister, Carolyn Keith Burr (David G. Lewis) of North Caldwell, New Jersey; nephew Matthew K. Burr (Holden Osborne) of Brooklyn, New York; niece, Amanda J. Burr (Jeremy Xido) of New York City, New York; and two great-nieces, Keziah Jean Burr and Sovanni Qamar Burr Xido.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church in memory of the Reverend J. William Keith Jr. with designation to Africa University Campaign or the Building Disciples Centers Campaign. Send to UMC Center 301 Pennsylvania Parkway Suite 300 Indianapolis, Indiana 46028.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortury.com.
