September 27, 2025, 100, Goldsboro —
William (Willie) Roby McKeel, Sr., 100, of Princeton passed away Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Spring Arbor Assisted Living & Memory Care in Greenville, NC. He was born April 17, 1925 in Micro to the late Roby and Elizabeth Helen Evans McKeel.
Willie Graduated from Princeton High School in 1941. He worked short stints at the Baltimore shipyard, the construction of the then new RDU airport, and a civil-service land surveying firm in Hertford, NC to support the war efforts. At age 18, he volunteered for the Merchant Marines where he served on the Liberty ships until the end of WWII. On his return to Princeton, he briefly worked at the Esso gas station before being recruited to work at AF Holt and Sons hardware store (with full encouragement from a young bookkeeper named Lessie Radford).
In 1950, he was drafted into the Army for the Korean War. That Christmas he came home to marry Lessie Radford, the love of his life. After completing his service with the army, he and Lessie settled into Princeton, eventually building the 403 S. Pearl Street home in 1955. They remained married for 67 years, working together at AF Holt’s until retirement, building a life around their four children, Princeton Baptist Church and the Princeton Community.
Willie, well respected in his community, was known for his welcoming smile and charming sense of humor. He served the Princeton Baptist church as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and treasurer. He was a long-serving president of the Princeton Community Pool, a Notary Public, and an active member of the Lion’s Club. Willie enjoyed playing guitar and was a charming story teller. Some favorites are how he and his brother, Ralph, played guitar on the radio; the intricate details of the Merchant Marine convoy configurations; and his experiences manning a search light in Korea while enduring monsoons and freezing temperatures.
Willie was the widower of the late Lessie Naomi Radford McKeel. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brothers, Ralph McKeel, Gene McKeel, Billy Ray McKeel, and Richard McKeel; sisters, Adell Boykin and Rachel Parrish.
The Funeral Service will be conducted 7:00 pm, Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at the Princeton Baptist Church with the Reverend Dwayne Batten and Reverend Thomas Collings officiating. The Committal Service will be held 10:00 am, Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Princeton Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm Tuesday, September 30, 2025 prior to the Funeral Service at Princeton Baptist Church.
He is survived by sons: William R McKeel, Jr. (Susie), Robert R. McKeel and Charles A. McKeel (Christine); daughter, Marie McKeel Swann (Jeff); grandchildren, Jeffery Swann (Banafshe), Kevin Swann (Brianna), William McKeel III (Jenna), Ashley McKeel, Robert McKeel, Jr., Paul McKeel, Kyle McKeel, David McKeel, Alex McKeel; great grandchildren, Peyton McKeel, Paige McKeel, Radford Swann, and ILa Swann; brother, Worth McKeel (Janet); sister, Evelyn Allen; sisters-in-law, Pat McKeel and Nova Ann McKeel.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.caseyfh.com.
Casey Funeral Home & Cremations is honored to serve the McKeel family.
