William McKeon

William "Bill" F. McKeon, 70, died Monday, November 30, 2009, at his residence after a battle with cancer. Born November 10, 1939, in Rochester, NH, he was the son of Joseph Gerald and Margaret Joy Taylor McKeon. Bill was a veteran of the United States Navy serving four years and four months active duty, most of his time spent aboard the USS WASP CVS-18. He then moved from his home state of New Hampshire to Shelby, Ohio and went to work for General Motors, retiring after 32 years of service, spending most of his employment time in management positions in the shipping and material handling department. Bill enjoyed to cook and was known as a gourmet cook by many and also liked to hunt and fish, especially deer hunting, having 40+ deer to his credit. He was dearly loved and his family was very important to him.

Surviving are his wife of over 20 years, Betty Jane Taylor McKeon; children, Robert Mary Burdette of Mansfield, Timothy Denise Burdette of Mansfield, Michelle Ken Rausch of Columbus and Tahmineh Jwana Mirea Kelly of Mansfield; seven grandchildren, Melinda Cory Booth, Shane, Jessica, Eli, Joseph, Casey and Jesse; a great granddaughter, Brenna; a brother, Joseph G. McKeon of Florida; a sister-in-law, Mavis McKeon; two cousins, Diane and Cindy Elliot; several nieces and nephews; and all his fishing buddies. He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Michele Renee Heimlich and Pamela Burdette; a brother, Robert McKeon; and his miniature Doberman, Rusty.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, December 3, 2009, at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd, Mansfield. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2009, at the funeral home conducted by Pastor Randall Collins where full military services will be conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Burial will follow in Ontario Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to MedCentral Hospice.