William Keesee

William W. Keesee, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, at his home with his loving family.

He was born Oct. 13, 1942, in Cape Girardeau to Lawrence and Vivian McDaniel Keesee.

He and Kathleen Ourth were married Oct. 26, 1963, at Mount Clemens, Michigan.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966.

He retired from AmerenUE as a lineman.

William was an avid bass fisherman, fishing all over the United States. He was a member of Mossback Bass Masters, SEMO Lifesavers and Knights of Columbus Council 11205.

He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Keesee of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Connie (Wes) Drury of Kelso, Missouri, and Cindy (Bryan Smith) Keesee of Jackson; son, Bill (Heather Minton) Keesee of Jackson; three brothers, Lawrence (Mary Ann) Keesee of Vilonia, Arkansas; Mike (Kay) Keesee of Jackson; and Curtis (Kay) Keesee of Delta; three sisters, Kay (Walter) Marshall of Jackson, Paula (Pat) Suzuki of Cape Girardeau and Delores Bond of Scott City; nine grandchildren, Michaela (Matt) Hayes, Maria (Michael) Branum, Kevin (Mikel) Drury, Kolbe Drury, Evan Keesee, Dylan (Carrie) Lang, Lilly Keesee, Alayna Smith and McKenzie Smith; and six great-grandchildren, Abigail Hayes, Alexis Hayes, Titus Branum, Aiden Drury, Benjamin Drury and Mara Lang.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, with parish prayers at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to Avenue of Flags, 1049 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.