SPEEDWAY —
Billy Joe Keatley, 67, of Speedway, W.Va. died on February 2, 2013 at Princeton Community Hospital. He was born November 18, 1945 in Princeton, and was the son of the late John Lacy and Sally B. Keatley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jane Keaton; and a brother, George W. Keatley.
He was a member of the Concord United Methodist Church in Athens. Billy Joe earned his B.S. degree in biology and social studies from Concord College. He went on to earn his M.A. degree plus 30 hours in school administration. He served as a teacher and vice principal in the Mercer County School system for 35 years. Billy Joe's career began at Central Junior High School in Bluefield. He also served at Princeton Junior High, Bluefield High, Athens High, Princeton High and Montcalm High School. He retired in November 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Keatley; two sons, David Phillips and wife Amy of Rocky Mount, Va. and Joe Keatley and wife Debi of Speedway, W.Va.; one daughter, Leisa P. Cleveland and husband Rusty of Windsor, Conn.; nine grandchildren, Brandon, Mason, Sarah-Beth, Lilah, Mac, Hailey, Sarah, Matthew and Rachel; niece, Ramona Keatley of Speedway, W.Va.; brothers-in-law, Charles Keaton of Speedway, W.Va., Butch Mays and wife Mary Jo of Athens, W.Va. and Jimmy Mays of Athens, W.Va.; and sister-in-law, Pat Keatley of Speedway, W. Va.
His legacy lives on through those he touched with his quick wit, unending humor, devotion to both his family and students, and his ever present gentle spirit.
In honoring his wishes, he has been cremated and his ashes will be spread on the Keatley farm at a later date.
A celebration of his life will be held in the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton today (Saturday), Feb. 9, 2013 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Greg Godwin officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 12 noon until the service hour. Also, online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at 921 W. Neville Street, Beckley, WV 25801 or to the Concord United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 746, Athens, WV 24712.
The Keatley family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.
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