William A. Keel Jr.

William A. "Bill" Keel Jr., 64, Kingsport, died Tueday afternoon Aug. 8 at Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center.

Born in Louisville, Ky., he was the son of the later Dr. and Mrs. William A. Keel Sr., a well-known Baptist minister.

Mr. Keel was in China during World War II, serving with the Navy-Marines Medical Corps.

He was graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in journalism. Earl in his career, Keel was employed by the Knoxville Journal as a city reporter. Later at the Tennessean, in Nashville, he worked as a political reporter.

He worked as a correspondent for Newsweek Magazine, serving as editor of the Trades and Labor News. He taught journalism at UT, Nashville.

He served as research director for the Kennedy Presidency in Washington, D.C., was an assistant to the administrator of the Small Business Administration, and was administrative assistant to Joe L. Evins from 1964-1976, 4th Congressional District.

He served on the Presidential Transition Team for the Carter presidency, and served as speech writer to President Jimmy Carter, and was later appointed by Carter as assistant administrator to the Small Business Administration.

Mr. Keel returned to Capitol Hill as an assistant to Sen. James Sasser until he retired in 1983. He maintained homes in Washington and Kingsport for a number f years, and upon his retirement he became a consultant on government matters.

He was a member of the Fine Arts Commission, was president of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Upper East Tennessee Chapter. He was a charter member of the Lakewood Baptist Church, in Nashville, and had attended the Airport Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his son, William Baker Keel, in 1971; and one brother, Pinckney Durham Keel.

Surviving are his wife, Jean Harmon Keel; one daughter, Summer Leigh Keel, Kingsport; one brother, Richard David Keel, Nashville,; three nieces and two nephews.

Published in the Daily News (Kingsport, TN) August 10, 1989