William B. Keene

William B. Keene passed away peacefully in Jacksonville Beach, Florida on Sunday, January 31st. He was born in Watertown on August 23, 1917, the son of William H. and Florence Fuller Keene. His wife of 59 years, Emily Cobb Keene, died on February 12, 2001. His sister Betty K. Davey predeceased him in 1964.

Bill graduated from Watertown High School in 1936 and served five years in the Army - Air Force being honorably discharged in 1945 at the rank of Master Sergeant. During those years, he served with the 5th Coast Artillery, the 639th Anti Aircraft Battalion, and flew 30 missions with the 8th Air Force in England as a radioman. He worked for 40 years as a cost accountant for St. Regis Paper Company, retiring in 1979.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Watertown where he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, trustee, treasurer, and elder. He was a member of the Watertown Masonic Lodge F&M #49, Urban Mission, Meals on Wheels, Share-a-Home and volunteered at the Food Pantry. He enjoyed golf, fishing, travel, spending summers on Point Salubrious, Chaumont, NY and winters in Florida.

Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Peggy and Roy White, Owego, NY and Sally and Stuart Young, Jacksonville Beach, Florida; beloved grandchildren Sarah and Jessica Young; brother-in-law, Edward Cobb, Sackets Harbor; nieces, nephews, and cousins. His service to his country, positive attitude, sense of humor, and love he gave family and friends will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held in Watertown this summer with burial following in Sulphur Springs Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 403 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601, United Way of Northern New York Inc., 200 Washington Street 13601, or Community Hospice Foundation, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257. Arrangements are with Reed & Benoit Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com.