Willard John McKeith

Willard “Will” John McKeith, 86 of Lithia, Florida was born on April 13, 1931 and passed away peacefully on September 24, 2017 surrounded by his family. Will was proceeded in death by his son William “Bill” McKeith, his Father, Archibald McKeith, Mother, Ethel McKeith, Brother, James McKeith and sister, Lorraine Keyser.

Will was born in Upper Darby Township in Pennsylvania. He attended Ursinus University in Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree. He soon started his career in Industrial Sales and was well known and very successful in his field. He worked as a manufacturer’s representative for several companies and most of his career worked for Jeffrey Manufacturing which was bought out by Dresser Industries and then started his own business WJ McKeith Company. After retiring he was very involved within the Fishhawk Community and served on the board in the villas where he lived and served as a board member of the Fishhawk HOA.

Will met his wife Ruth A. Stewart when she was 14 years old. Will’s older brother Jim married Ruth’s sister Betty, Will and Ruth were friends for years before they started their relationship. They married September 21, 1962 and went on a 3 week honeymoon to Vegas and California by car. The following year William John McKeith was born, followed by Lori Anne McKeith and Michele Lynn McKeith over the next 7 years. Will and Ruth loved life, travel, hockey and having fun but loved their family most of all.

Will is lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years Ruth, daughters Lori and Michele, their husbands Luis and Mike, 6 grandchildren – Scott, Keri, Brett, Megan, Kyle and Maggie, two sisters, Evelyn Smith, husband Paul, and Heather Adams, husband Chris and sister-in law, Betty McKeith.

Friends and Relatives are invited to his Memorial Service at First United Methodist Church/New Hope in Brandon, Florida on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 4:00 pm. Reception following at Luis and Lori’s home.

Will has blessed this world with his presence. We will always carry his memory in our hearts. We love you Will, Dad & “Pop-Pop”.

In lieu of flowers, the family wants to help others with donations to Life Path Hospice https://lifepathhospice.chaptershealth.org/GeneralDonation or New Hope United Methodist Church, Brandon, FL http://findnewhope.com/giving/ Thank you!