William Henry Keener Jr.

William Henry “Billy” Keener II, a loving brother, doting grandfather, lifelong friend, accomplished banker, and committed volunteer, passed away after a year of illness. Born on December 1, 1945, to the late Shirley Driscoll Keener and William “Bill” Keener Sr. of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Billy grew up in many places, which nurtured his ability to make friends wherever he went.

He is survived by his sons Joseph B. Keener and William H. Keener III, his beloved granddaughter, Madison Porche; his cherished sister, Lynda Farren, who was by his side throughout his illness; his nieces Caroline Vale and Margaret Dean, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and two great-nieces; and his adopted granddaughter, Ellis Porche. His beloved retired agility dog Mico, has been lovingly adopted by his friend Brenda Howard in Arizona. He was preceded in death by his lifelong friends of 60+ years Bill Trotter and Joe Monolo and is survived by Jim Hindman the last of their group.

Billy was a proud 1963 graduate of Kirkwood High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and of the University of Mississippi in 1967, where he formed a lifelong friendship with his roommate, Smith McGehee.

He dedicated decades to helping others, serving with Alcoholics Anonymous mentoring those who were struggling, volunteering as a support counselor at Peachford Hospital, and contributing his expertise on boards and committees including the South Carolina Bankers Association, ACTS of Caring Clinic, First Step, Goodwill Industries of Manasota, United Way, the Sarasota Community Foundation, and the Mississippi School of Business. As Confederate nurse Sally Tompkins once wrote, “I see death daily, yet it reminds me of the worth of each life I can save”—a sentiment that reflected Billy’s approach to his volunteer work and care for others.

Billy served his country with distinction in the United States Air Force, earning an honorable discharge as a Captain after 15 years of service. A proud American and devoted veteran, Billy believed deeply in duty, integrity, and service to his country. As an anonymous Confederate soldier once wrote in letters to family, “I pray daily, not that I may live, but that I may do what is right before I die,” a sentiment that guided Billy throughout his military career and life. His professional career in banking was marked by leadership and vision: he held positions including Executive Vice President and CEO of SouthTrust Bank of Sarasota, Senior Vice President and Group President at SunTrust Bank Orlando, Area President/CEO at Southeast Bank, Vice Chairman of the Board at First City Bank, and numerous leadership roles with First National Bank of Commerce and Regions Bank.

Outside of work, Billy was an avid historian, particularly of the War of Northern Aggression. While he visited battlefields across Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, he still made time to visit his niece Caroline and enjoy a round of putt-putt golf with his grandnieces and grandnephews, and stop to appreciate the small joys along the way. He was also a devoted chronicler of his family’s history.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, intellect, and steadfast commitment to friends, as well as his lifelong service to his community. Billy’s philosophy of life was guided by his favorite figure from the Civil War, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who said, “It is not death I fear, but a life unworthy of God’s grace,” a principle he lived every day.

A memorial Mass will be held; further details will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The American Battlefield Trust, https://www.battlefields.org/give in Billy’s honor. Burial arrangements in Winston-Salem, NC will take place at a later date.