William Keller Geiger

William Keller Geiger (Bill) was born on May 13, 1951, at Fort Eustis to William Dow and Mary Elizabeth Geiger. Bill grew up in Williamsburg and graduated from James Blair High School, where he played on the football and golf teams. He attended the College of William & Mary and, as a kicker on Coach Lou Holtz’s 1970 team, played a pivotal role in helping William & Mary win the Southern Conference Football Championship.

Following college graduation, Bill worked as an acclaimed photographer in Washington, D.C. Among his clients were the Washington National Cathedral and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. His iconic photographs were featured in many notable periodicals, including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Time, and Parade. Although his primary clients were in the D.C. area, Bill kept a close working relationship with W&M and was honored to be the photographer for the college’s 300th Anniversary celebration in October 1993.

In addition to his creative artistry as a professional photographer, Bill was an avid reader and music lover, who enjoyed literature, poetry, and music of all kinds, old and new. In pursuit of these interests, Bill briefly taught high school English and worked at the Cellar Door music club in Georgetown and Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle. He was a self-taught musician who played the guitar, piano, harmonica and fife by ear. Bill shared his passion for literature, music and poetry with his many friends and family, who admired him for his deep knowledge and excellent taste.

Bill’s greatest love, however, was for his children. He cherished the traveling he did with his daughter Dorothy and admired her strength and courage. He tirelessly and joyfully supported the athletic pursuits of his sons George and Phillip and was thrilled at their great accomplishments. Bill was very proud when George enlisted in the Army and rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer as a helicopter pilot. It was this deep love for his children that sustained Bill when he met one of life’s toughest challenges.

In 1997, Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and battled its increasingly demanding burdens for over two decades. In December of 2008, he returned to live in Williamsburg with his mother. Mary Lib greatly assisted Bill as the disease gradually grew worse. During this time in Williamsburg, his brother Roy and sister-in-law Wendy also provided wonderful support, on an almost daily basis at times, and Bill received an outpouring of love and help from many incredible friends from his high school and college days.

Bill passed away on January 14, 2025. He is survived by his three beloved children, Dorothy Light of Texas, George Geiger of Savannah, Phillip Geiger of Denver, and grandsons Joseph and Theo Light of Texas. He is also survived by his loving mother, Mary K. Geiger (Williamsburg) and three siblings: Roy Geiger (Williamsburg), Marietta Dubus (Georgia), and Barbara Sprow (Georgia).

A Celebration of Life for Bill will be scheduled in Spring 2025 by his siblings. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill‘s memory to the American Parkinson Disease Association (apdaparkinson.org).