November 1, 1932 – October 13, 2026
Billy Joe Keesee was born in Crowell, Texas on November 1, 1932 to Joe and Viola Keesee, the second child of five in his immediate family. The family farmed in Foard County until moving to Terry County, Texas in the 40’s. “Bill”, as he would eventually be known, attended schools in Thalia and Meadow until graduation in 1950.
In December 1952 he married Shirley Finley, his high school sweetheart, in a church ceremony in Meadow, Texas. They would eventually be joined by three sons, Kelly, Kirby and Kreg.
After high school Bill worked at the cotton gin and farmed until entering the Navy in 1954, stationed in San Diego, California and San Francisco, California. He served as a radarman aboard the USS George Clymer during his Navy Tour in Japan and other navy operations.
After the Navy, Bill came back to Texas and began farming again in Terry County, then in Hockley County, and settling in the Smyer Community. While living in Smyer, he served on the South Smyer Coop Gin Board and the Smyer School Board.
In 1969 Bill and Shirley and their three sons moved back to his 156 acre “home place” where they had recently built a home. While farming, Bill ran for Terry County Commissioner Precinct 2 and was elected in 1978, serving through 1998 when he retired as commissioner. While living in the Meadow Community, Bill served on the ASCS Soil Conservation board, Meadow Museum Board and Meadow Cemetery Board.
Bill’s interest as commissioner was usually focused on roads, and he took great interest in road building, maintenance and paving. He also enjoyed operating the motor graders and other heavy equipment. Bill was generally known to be the moving force for getting all the streets in Meadow paved, not just the newer side of town.
Along the way from farmer to sailor to farmer, Bill achieved a private pilot’s license and flew light general aviation for a number of years out of the Terry County Airport.
Bill departed this life October 13, 2026. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 73 years, Shirley; his sons, Kelly (Judy), Kirby (Debra), and Kreg (LaTonna); his grandchildren, Austin (Meaghan) Keesee, Andrew Keesee, Skylar (Craig) Keesee Pokluda, Kandace (Jack) Keesee Welch, and Kolton Keesee, eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; as well as his sisters, Eloise Brown and Peggy Bingham.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, JC and Viola Keesee; sister, LaDoyce Caswell; brother, JD Keesee; and grandson, Zach Keesee.
Visitation will be Wednesday the 28th from 5-7 pm at the Meadiw Musical.
Graveside service honoring Bill’s life will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2026, in the Meadow Cemetery, Meadow, Texas under the direction of Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Wichita Falls.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the Alzheimer and Dementia Research (donorservices@alz.org) or the charity of your choice.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com
