William A Keller, a lifelong resident of Walker Valley, died peacefully at home on April 16, 2022. He was 94.
The son of the late William Keller, Sr. and Edna Rattel Keller of Walker Valley he was born on May 25, 1927 in Brooklyn.
Bill spent his childhood summers in Walker Valley working on his grandparent’s farm (Fir Tree Farm) on Oregon Trail. He later married Joan M. Spitzfaden on November 10th 1952 and moved to Walker Valley where they set down roots and raised their three children.
Bill spent his life working for his community in numerous ways. He was a veteran of WWII having served from 1945-1947 in the 27th Fighter Group and was a lifetime member of the Walker Valley Volunteer Fire Dept. following in the footsteps of his grandfather Christian F. Keller, the first Walker Valley Fire Chief. Bill was an Asst. Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 37 in Pine Bush, and an active member of the Walker Valley United Methodist Church, having served as a trustee and cemetery caretaker for many years.
Bill had several careers, working for the Ulster County Highway Dept, the local phone company, and ultimately retired as Lieutenant Watch Commander from the Otisville State Correctional Facility. He had a passion for gardening and plant propagation, a hobby he enjoyed in both his personal and professional life. Bill was a devoted husband and father who put his family first in all he did. Survivors include John Keller and Karin Poggio of Highland Mills, Bill Keller III and his wife Nancy of Middletown, his daughter Marianne Keller, his seven grandchildren, Kristalee, Jeremiah, Jared, Annalee, John Jr, Shane, and Emma, his two great-grandchildren Bradley and Aurora, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held on Friday April 22, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. 1525 Burlingham Rd Pine Bush. Funeral services will be offered on Saturday April 23 at 11 am at the Walker Valley Methodist Church in Walker Valley. Burial will take place with Full Military Honors at Walker Valley Cemetery. Contributions can be made in Bill’s memory to the Mountainview United Methodist Church or Hudson Valley Hospice.
To leave an online condolence, please visit wmgaganfuneralhome.com