William Bill R Keller

William "Bill" Robert Keller, 68, Bismarck, died June 27, 2011, at Medcenter One Health System hospital, surrounded by his loving family following a courageous fight with cancer. Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, June 30, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Craig Schweitzer and longtime family friend Rev. Robert Lynne officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday, June 29, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, in Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Bill was born March 5, 1943, at Trinity Hospital in Jamestown, ND, the son of Rev. ALC and Margaret Brady Keller. Bill was an outstanding athlete and Bismarck High School graduate, class of 1961, and attended Bismarck Junior College. He married his high school sweetheart, Judie Kaehler, on October 10, 1963, at Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Judie was his best friend, his greatest supporter and the best partner a man could ask for. Judie and Bill had two children, Lori and Jeff. Bill was well-known as a fast-pitch softball player and pitched for over 20 years in the Bismarck Fastpitch Softball league. They were state champions in 1974 and 1981. He was inducted into the North Dakota Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame as a pitcher in 1988. Bill was an outdoor enthusiast: bow hunting with Jeff, grandchildren and friends in "the bottoms"; telling "everyone" how to fish the Missouri River system, golfing with his buddies anytime they could get together and particularly the Elbow Room's annual memorial golf tournament. Bill, created many longtime friendships while selling groceries, sporting goods, "going to coffee" and playing cards at the Elks. Bill also enjoyed working at Play-It-Again Sports with his daughter, Lori, and mowing the greens for the last eight years at Riverwood Golf Course. Bill will always be remembered for his love of life, positive outlook, and great sense of humor. Each person he touched in his journey through life was a "friend", equaling knowing their friendship with Bill was as special to him as it was to them. Bill is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his wife, Judie; daughter, Lori and husband Gene Balzer; and their sons, Ryne and Michael, his son Jeff and his wife Shana Keller; and their daughters Amanda and Sara. Bill has two supportive sisters, Dianne John Burdekin and Miriam Steven Gilbertson; a special aunt, Lenora Kuntz; and loving nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Dr. David Field, Medcenter One 7 East Oncology Nursing Unit, Subacute Care Unit, and Medcenter One Hospice program for all of their compassionate and loving care. In lieu of flowers, Bill and his family have selected a number of memorials and charities who have touched their lives and wish to aid is sustaining their missions to help others, in health and life. Please help us, help others.

William Bill R Keller

March 5, 1943 - June 27, 2011