William Ervin Keener

William Ervin Keener, 93, a resident of Biloxi, MS and formerly of Charleston, WV, Cincinnati, OH and Atlanta, GA, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2016 in Pascagoula, MS. Mr. Keener was Lt. Commander for the U.S. Navy Intelligence in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was also a published author of two books. He was a loving husband of 38 years to the late Dorothy Mae Helmintoller; son of the late Lawrence and Thelma (Campbell) Keener; and brother of the late Lawrence “Boots” (Lib) Keener, Gerald “Peewee” (Zenith) Keener and Betty May (George) Stroup. Mr. Keener was a loving husband for 31 years to Kaye (Oglesbee) Keener; devoted father of Gail (Sheldon Levin) McGrath and Cathy Steinhauser; stepfather of Douglas Patrick; loving grandfather of Ashley (Jeremy) Collins and Richard Paul (Amanda) Steinhauser, II; great-grandfather of Logan, Ethan and Harrison Collins, Richard, III and Regan Steinhauser; uncle to 21 nieces and nephews; great-uncle to 31 nieces and nephews; and 2nd grand uncle to many. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to the charity of one’s choice. A Graveside Service will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 1:30 pm. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.