Bud ended his courageous 16-month battle with cancer at LifePath Hospice House, Sun City, Florida
William was born to Andrew Joseph Keene and Mildred Alene Cox Keene in Plant City, Florida. He was youngest of two boys.
He was raised from age 4 by his mother Mildred Cone and stepfather C. W. Cone in the Midway community, north of Plant City. He learned a strong work ethic on the 14,000-acre Cone Ranch while working horses and cattle, raising and loading melons on train cars, tending orange groves, etc. He and friends put on their own rodeos in an arena north of Plant City, where he rode the bulls. He enjoyed visiting grandparents, aunts and uncles, Cox and Keene cousins, and many friends in the area. He was specially close to his aunt and uncle, J. D. Cox and Lois Bush Cox.
William attended Plant City schools and Riverside Military Academy in Georgia and Florida. He served four years in the U. S. Air Force, stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah.
In his adult years, his motivation and skills helped him achieve success in several business ventures, including cattle, orange groves, farming, and heavy equipment. He was an officer and part owner of the Briarwood Mobile Home Park. He owned Bud Keene Equipment Rental, Inc., Plant City. He also owned Bud Keene Crane Rental, Inc., Mulberry, Florida, with his son Kip Keene.
In October, 1952, at age 14, he met Mary LaVerne Lett, age 13, at the Springhead School Halloween Carnival. After dating four years, they were married on December 1, 1956, and had 57 happy years of marriage and working together. He also enjoyed many hours bass fishing at his home on Lake Nellie, south of Clermont, Florida, and was especially proud of the 14-pound bass he caught. Above all else, he valued and loved his wife and family.
He was predeceased by his parents, Mildred Cone in 1963, C. W. Cone in 2003, brother Jerry D. "Don" Keene in 2001, and his in-laws who he was devoted to, Mary Belle Maddox Lett in 1986, and Fletcher King Lett in 1991.
He will be dearly missed by those who survive him: his wife, Mary LaVerne Keene. Three sons: Jerry Keith Keene (Lisa), Fletcher Carter Keene (Rhonda), and William Kipling Keene (Stephanie). Five grandchildren: Abbie Usko (Matthew), Amy Uzzardo (Vinny), Amanda Keene (Mike Farrow), Samantha Keene, and Nathan Keene. Eight great-grandchildren: Ben and Zac Usko, Caleb and Elena Farrow, Nolan Ryder, Madelyn and Alessandra Uzzardo, and Bentley Keene. Sister-in-law: Barbara Keene Wallace. Also many other relatives and friends.
A public visitation was held at Haught Funeral Home, Plant City
William was born to Andrew Joseph Keene and Mildred Alene Cox Keene in Plant City, Florida. He was youngest of two boys.
He was raised from age 4 by his mother Mildred Cone and stepfather C. W. Cone in the Midway community, north of Plant City. He learned a strong work ethic on the 14,000-acre Cone Ranch while working horses and cattle, raising and loading melons on train cars, tending orange groves, etc. He and friends put on their own rodeos in an arena north of Plant City, where he rode the bulls. He enjoyed visiting grandparents, aunts and uncles, Cox and Keene cousins, and many friends in the area. He was specially close to his aunt and uncle, J. D. Cox and Lois Bush Cox.
William attended Plant City schools and Riverside Military Academy in Georgia and Florida. He served four years in the U. S. Air Force, stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah.
In his adult years, his motivation and skills helped him achieve success in several business ventures, including cattle, orange groves, farming, and heavy equipment. He was an officer and part owner of the Briarwood Mobile Home Park. He owned Bud Keene Equipment Rental, Inc., Plant City. He also owned Bud Keene Crane Rental, Inc., Mulberry, Florida, with his son Kip Keene.
In October, 1952, at age 14, he met Mary LaVerne Lett, age 13, at the Springhead School Halloween Carnival. After dating four years, they were married on December 1, 1956, and had 57 happy years of marriage and working together. He also enjoyed many hours bass fishing at his home on Lake Nellie, south of Clermont, Florida, and was especially proud of the 14-pound bass he caught. Above all else, he valued and loved his wife and family.
He was predeceased by his parents, Mildred Cone in 1963, C. W. Cone in 2003, brother Jerry D. "Don" Keene in 2001, and his in-laws who he was devoted to, Mary Belle Maddox Lett in 1986, and Fletcher King Lett in 1991.
He will be dearly missed by those who survive him: his wife, Mary LaVerne Keene. Three sons: Jerry Keith Keene (Lisa), Fletcher Carter Keene (Rhonda), and William Kipling Keene (Stephanie). Five grandchildren: Abbie Usko (Matthew), Amy Uzzardo (Vinny), Amanda Keene (Mike Farrow), Samantha Keene, and Nathan Keene. Eight great-grandchildren: Ben and Zac Usko, Caleb and Elena Farrow, Nolan Ryder, Madelyn and Alessandra Uzzardo, and Bentley Keene. Sister-in-law: Barbara Keene Wallace. Also many other relatives and friends.
A public visitation was held at Haught Funeral Home, Plant City
Bud ended his courageous 16-month battle with cancer at LifePath Hospice House, Sun City, Florida
William was born to Andrew Joseph Keene and Mildred Alene Cox Keene in Plant City, Florida. He was youngest of two boys.
He was raised from age 4 by his mother Mildred Cone and stepfather C. W. Cone in the Midway community, north of Plant City. He learned a strong work ethic on the 14,000-acre Cone Ranch while working horses and cattle, raising and loading melons on train cars, tending orange groves, etc. He and friends put on their own rodeos in an arena north of Plant City, where he rode the bulls. He enjoyed visiting grandparents, aunts and uncles, Cox and Keene cousins, and many friends in the area. He was specially close to his aunt and uncle, J. D. Cox and Lois Bush Cox.
William attended Plant City schools and Riverside Military Academy in Georgia and Florida. He served four years in the U. S. Air Force, stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah.
In his adult years, his motivation and skills helped him achieve success in several business ventures, including cattle, orange groves, farming, and heavy equipment. He was an officer and part owner of the Briarwood Mobile Home Park. He owned Bud Keene Equipment Rental, Inc., Plant City. He also owned Bud Keene Crane Rental, Inc., Mulberry, Florida, with his son Kip Keene.
In October, 1952, at age 14, he met Mary LaVerne Lett, age 13, at the Springhead School Halloween Carnival. After dating four years, they were married on December 1, 1956, and had 57 happy years of marriage and working together. He also enjoyed many hours bass fishing at his home on Lake Nellie, south of Clermont, Florida, and was especially proud of the 14-pound bass he caught. Above all else, he valued and loved his wife and family.
He was predeceased by his parents, Mildred Cone in 1963, C. W. Cone in 2003, brother Jerry D. "Don" Keene in 2001, and his in-laws who he was devoted to, Mary Belle Maddox Lett in 1986, and Fletcher King Lett in 1991.
He will be dearly missed by those who survive him: his wife, Mary LaVerne Keene. Three sons: Jerry Keith Keene (Lisa), Fletcher Carter Keene (Rhonda), and William Kipling Keene (Stephanie). Five grandchildren: Abbie Usko (Matthew), Amy Uzzardo (Vinny), Amanda Keene (Mike Farrow), Samantha Keene, and Nathan Keene. Eight great-grandchildren: Ben and Zac Usko, Caleb and Elena Farrow, Nolan Ryder, Madelyn and Alessandra Uzzardo, and Bentley Keene. Sister-in-law: Barbara Keene Wallace. Also many other relatives and friends.
A public visitation was held at Haught Funeral Home, Plant City
William was born to Andrew Joseph Keene and Mildred Alene Cox Keene in Plant City, Florida. He was youngest of two boys.
He was raised from age 4 by his mother Mildred Cone and stepfather C. W. Cone in the Midway community, north of Plant City. He learned a strong work ethic on the 14,000-acre Cone Ranch while working horses and cattle, raising and loading melons on train cars, tending orange groves, etc. He and friends put on their own rodeos in an arena north of Plant City, where he rode the bulls. He enjoyed visiting grandparents, aunts and uncles, Cox and Keene cousins, and many friends in the area. He was specially close to his aunt and uncle, J. D. Cox and Lois Bush Cox.
William attended Plant City schools and Riverside Military Academy in Georgia and Florida. He served four years in the U. S. Air Force, stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah.
In his adult years, his motivation and skills helped him achieve success in several business ventures, including cattle, orange groves, farming, and heavy equipment. He was an officer and part owner of the Briarwood Mobile Home Park. He owned Bud Keene Equipment Rental, Inc., Plant City. He also owned Bud Keene Crane Rental, Inc., Mulberry, Florida, with his son Kip Keene.
In October, 1952, at age 14, he met Mary LaVerne Lett, age 13, at the Springhead School Halloween Carnival. After dating four years, they were married on December 1, 1956, and had 57 happy years of marriage and working together. He also enjoyed many hours bass fishing at his home on Lake Nellie, south of Clermont, Florida, and was especially proud of the 14-pound bass he caught. Above all else, he valued and loved his wife and family.
He was predeceased by his parents, Mildred Cone in 1963, C. W. Cone in 2003, brother Jerry D. "Don" Keene in 2001, and his in-laws who he was devoted to, Mary Belle Maddox Lett in 1986, and Fletcher King Lett in 1991.
He will be dearly missed by those who survive him: his wife, Mary LaVerne Keene. Three sons: Jerry Keith Keene (Lisa), Fletcher Carter Keene (Rhonda), and William Kipling Keene (Stephanie). Five grandchildren: Abbie Usko (Matthew), Amy Uzzardo (Vinny), Amanda Keene (Mike Farrow), Samantha Keene, and Nathan Keene. Eight great-grandchildren: Ben and Zac Usko, Caleb and Elena Farrow, Nolan Ryder, Madelyn and Alessandra Uzzardo, and Bentley Keene. Sister-in-law: Barbara Keene Wallace. Also many other relatives and friends.
A public visitation was held at Haught Funeral Home, Plant City
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