William Keene Obituary

Keene, William Edward

William Edward Keene was born September 21, 1948, in Carbondale, Illinois, from the union of Tessie Mae Keene (nee Allen) and William Henry Keene. He was the second child of the marriage succeeding his sister, Teresa Elizabeth Keene. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois, when William was about two years old.

William was also known as Eddie, Ed and Edward to family and longtime friends and acquaintances. Professionally he was known as William or Bill.

William attended Chicago public schools and Roosevelt University.

William was a U.S. Navy veteran. During his enlistment, he spent a tour of duty in Vietnam as a combat Hospital Corpsman and team member with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. William's last duty station was Okinawa, Japan. William received decorations for his service and separated from the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, E-5.

After military service, William had a variety of employments from medical to clerical. He began working for the Social Security Administration as a Claims Representative and retired after 30-plus years as a Technical Expert.

Travel was William's passion. He traveled to many countries in North, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and North Africa. He made it to five of the seven continents.

William was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his daughter, Angela B. Keene; son, Adam E. Keene (Anne); granddaughter, Ivery Tess Terashima-Keene; special friend, Gloria McCormick; sister, Teresa E. Ashley; brother, Joseph Keene; nephew, David H. Ashley; niece, Mari T. Ashley; grandnephews, Aerik and Michael Ashley; aunt, Marie Lyles; aunt, Esthel Allen; cousins, Kevin Lyles (Pamela), Darla Brown, Randy Allen, Kim Edwards (Larry); their children and many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in memory of William at a National Forest through www.alivingtribute.org.

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