Reverend J. William “Bill” Keith Jr. 69 of Westfield, IN., retired United Methodist Church Pastor, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the Franklin United Methodist Community in Franklin, IN.
He was born May 17, 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky to Reverend James William Keith and Gladys M. (Moore) Keith. He married Pamela (Hixon) Keith who preceded him in death on December 8, 2008.
He was a graduate of the University of Evansville with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History and minor in Political Science. He continued his studies at Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois with a Masters of Divinity.
In 1974, he received his ordination as Deacon, Probationary Member of the South Indiana Conference and in 1977 an Elder, and Full Member of the South Indiana Conference. His ministerial appointments were at Hamlet United Methodist Church from 1974-1976, Petersville United Methodist Church from 1976-1981, Corydon United Methodist Church from 1981-1985, DePauw Memorial United Methodist Church in New Albany from 1985-1990, Sandy Hook United Methodist Church in Columbus 1990-2000, and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Bloomington from 2000-2002, District Superintendent of the Indianapolis East District 2002-2009, and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Carmel until his retirement in 2013. He had served as Spiritual Director for the Columbus Indiana Area Emmaus Community and previously President and Vice President of the Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Church, Indiana. He had served also as President of the Methodist Youth Fellowship, Indiana Conference, a delegate to the World Methodist Conference London, England and World Methodist Youth Conference in Bath, England, a member of the Division on Worship, South Indiana Conference, member of the South Indiana Conference Council on Ministries, served as chair of the New Albany District Council on Ministries, South Indiana Conference, served chair of the Qualifications Panel Board of Ordained Ministry, South Indiana Conference, chair the Division of Elders, Board of Ordained Ministry South Indiana Conference, and served on the Board of Directors of the Franklin United Methodist Community. He was a member, served on the board of directors, Vice President and Treasurer of the Hoosier Valley Economic Opportunity Corporation, former member of the Corydon Rotary Club, , former member of the board of directors of the New Albany Rotary Club, former Volunteer Chaplain and Bioethics Committee member of the Columbus Regional Hospital, Columbus, Indiana, former member of Columbus Rotary Club, member of Bloomington Rotary Club, Bloomington, Indiana, and member of the board of directors of Amethyst House in Bloomington, Indiana, and most recently member of the Crossroads Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He had a personal interest in Clown Ministry Worship and church architecture. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
A memorial service and celebration of life for the Reverend J. William “Bill” Keith Jr. will be conducted Friday, October 16, 2015 at 3PM at St. Marks United Methodist Church 4780 East 126th Street, Carmel, IN. 46033 with a reception to immediately follow the service.
Survivors include his sister Carolyn Keith Burr (David G. Lewis) of North Caldwell, New Jersey, nephew Matthew K. Burr (Holden Osborne) of Brooklyn, New York, and niece Amanda J. Burr (Jeremy Xido) of New York City, New York, and two great nieces Keziah Jean Burr and Sovanni Qamar Burr Xido.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church in memory of Reverend J. William Keith Jr. with designation to Africa University Campaign or the Building Disciples Centers Campaign. Send to UMC Center 301 Pennsylvania Parkway Suite 300 Indianapolis, Indiana 46028. Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortury.com. Information 317-738-0202.