William “Bill” Thomas McKeown, 92, of Azle, Texas, walked through the gates of Heaven and into the arms of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on January 22, 2023.
Born July 31, 1930, in Jacksonville, Texas, the son of Willie and Mary Ethel (Steger) McKeown. Bill graduated from Stark High School in Orange, Texas. After graduating high school, he began working for Dupont USA until his enlistment into the US Air Force on January 8, 1951, serving during the Korean War, assigned to the 1st Pilotless Bomber Squadron, Bitburg, West Germany, as a Geodetic Computations Specialist. He was discharged Honorably on December 11, 1954.
He returned home upon the completion of his enlistment, returning to Dupont, where he spent a total of 42 ½ years. During this time, he married Dora “Doty” Peveto McKeown on December 29, 1961.
Bill was a member of First Baptist Orange, Orange, Texas, where he served as a Deacon for many years, and Ash Creek Baptist Church Azle, Tx. He loved playing 42 during his lunch breaks at Dupont and was an avid golfer following his retirement.
Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doty; daughter, Leslea McKeown Nichols and husband Reggie of Weatherford, Tx; Grandson Thomas Hamman and wife Sarah and Great-Grandson Cooper of Victoria, Tx; Grandson Lawson Hamman of Waco, Tx; Grandson Ryan Nichols of Fort Worth, Tx; Granddaughter Spencer Nichols Fangman and husband Simon and Great-Grandson Jack of Edmond, Ok; Granddaughter Sidney Nichols Shaw and husband John (JD) and Great-Grandson Shepherd of Bells, Tx; and Granddaughter Skyler Nichols of Bells, Tx; much loved Brother-In-Law Riley Peveto and wife Betty; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Frank, two sisters, Nelda Steel and husband Al, Lilian Ruth Sandefer, LH, and nephew Billy James.
A Memorial and Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Ash Creek Baptist Church, Azle, Texas, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by long-time Pastor (Ret.) and Friend Brother Barry Bradley of Orange, Texas and Dr. Wesley Shotwell of Ash Creek Baptist Church, Azle. A private family interment will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Monday, February 13, 2023.
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