Wilfred F. Keller

Wilfred F. "Woody" Keller, 85, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2014, in San Antonio. He was born on August 21, 1929 to Estelle Sophia and Wilfred "Sonny" Keller. He attended Central Catholic High School and San Antonio College, and spent four years in a Sheet Metal L.U. #67 Apprentice Program.

He joined the Marine Corps where he attended Surveying School at Ft. Belvoir, VA. During his three years in the Marines he also reached the finals of the "All Navy Boxing Tournament in 1948 and was runner-up in the San Diego Golden Gloves Tournament in 1948. He was discharged as a Corporal.

Woody married Rose Marie Gianotti in August of 1950 in San Antonio, TX. The couple had eight children, including two sets of twins. The older twins were the first multiple births in the nation in 1961. He joined the Boys Club Boxing Team in 1951, and in the 1953 Golden Gloves Tournament won the State of Texas Bantamweight Title.

Woody was a sheet metal worker on construction sites until 1965, when he was elected as business agent for the Sheet Metal Local Union #67. Woody was elected to represent Labor as a member of the "Executive Board of Hemisfair" where he remained until the end of Hemisfair. In 1969 he was elected as State AFL-CIO Vice President representing the San Antonio district. In 1970, he became President of the San Antonio Building Trades Council. In 1975 he was appointed as a representative of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association, and worked in that capacity until 1991 when he retired.

Woody enjoyed coaching football, baseball, and basketball at Northwest YMCA and was a member of the executive board of the YMCA. He belonged to St. Matthew Catholic Church, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Woody is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rose Keller; also Ray Keller, Dudley Keller, Georgia Kubasak, Arlene Turner, Donny Keller, Donna Tatsch, Darrell Keller, Roxane Frost; 19 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

There will be a Rosary on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 9:30 A.M. followed by Mass of Celebration of Life at 10:00 A.M. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 10703 Wurzbach Rd. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 9:00 A.M. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.

Family and friends wishing to send flowers may have them delivered to Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78232. Please have them delivered by Monday evening so they can be transported to the churcn on Tuesday morning.