SNEADS FERRY  -  Colonel William H. "Bill" Keller III, 86, of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, passed away peacefully, Thursday, October 10, 2024, at his home. Bill leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership, and devotion to his family, his church, and his community. Born on May 13, 1938, in Springfield, PA, to William H. Keller, Jr. and Isabelle Keller, Bill grew up with a deep love for nature, a passion for fishing, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.

After graduating high school in 1959, Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps, marking the start of an extraordinary 38-year career. From Private to Gunnery Sergeant and Second Lieutenant to Colonel, Bill served in numerous billets in the Communications, Signals Intelligence, Intelligence, as well as Special Operations. He saw three tours of duty in Vietnam from 1966-1968, 1969-1970, and 1972, conducting Infantry, Communications, Signals Intelligence and Special Operations, including operations with 1st Marine Division, 7th Fleet, and 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade while at Chu Lai and Quang Tri Province.

During his exemplary Marine Corps career, Bill worked for the National Security Agency (NSA) as the Marine Corps Representative to the NSA/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) where he was selected for the NSA/CSS Fellowship Program with a follow-on assignment as Executive Assistant to the Director, NSA/CSS. He was the Battalion Executive and Commanding Officer of 2d Radio Battalion, distinguishing himself and his command during combat operations in Beirut, Lebanon, and operations in Central America and Grenada, winning the National Security Agency/Central Security Service "Director's Trophy" in May 1984.

Bill's career included the following assignments: Office of the Secretary of Defense as the Marine Corps Representative to the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I); Headquarters Marine Corps as the Deputy Head and Operations Officer of the Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Branch, Intelligence Division; Executive Assistant to the Assistant Chief of Staff, Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence, Headquarters Marine Corps; III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan, where he formed, activated and commanded the 3rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Intelligence Group (3rd SRIG); Joint designated with the U.S. Atlantic Command, standing up the J-27, Director of Production and Director of Field Support as part of the Atlantic Intelligence Command (AIC); and dual assignments as Assistant Chief of Staff (G-2) for U.S. Marine Forces, Atlantic, and the II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).

Colonel Keller retired from active service on January 1, 1997, with 38-plus years of active service. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Meal with Gold Star, the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," the Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Presidential Unit Citation. Bill is a graduate, Magna Cum Laude, from Old Dominion University in 1997 with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Environmental Health; a 1985 graduate of Salve Regina University with a Master's Degree in International Relations; a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval War College with a Master's Degree in National Security Policy Studies; and a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

In 1960, Bill met Audrey Mae Pulley of Henderson, NC, and the two were married later that year. Together, they raised two children, William H. Keller, IV, of Ellicott City, Maryland, and Gabrielle Margurite McCusker of Sneads Ferry, North Carolian, and built a life centered around family, faith, and service.

Following his retirement from the Marine Corps in January 1997, Bill continued his public service. He joined the Senior Executive Service supporting FEMA as a Senior Regional Disaster Coordinator, helping communities in times of need. In 2008, Bill was elected as an Onslow County Commissioner, continuing his dedication to improving his community.

Bill played a principal role in the establishment of the North Carolina Beach, Inlet, and Waterway Association, where he served as a Director on the Board of Directors. He also served as Chairman of the Board for the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism in 2005 and was a director for six years. Bill's contributions to the community were recognized in 2006 when he was named "Citizen of the Year" by the Greater Topsail Area.

A proud and active member of the Sneads Ferry Rotary Club, Bill served as past president and contributed to multiple leadership roles since joining in 1999. He was also a longtime member of the Stump Sound Masonic Lodge in Sneads Ferry, where he formed lasting bonds and furthered local charitable efforts.

Bill's commitment to service extended to healthcare, where he served on the Onslow County Hospital Authority as Secretary/Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee, ensuring that local healthcare needs were met.

Bill was a devoted and active member of First United Methodist Church in Sneads Ferry, participating and supporting various groups and committees to include the United Methodist Men, the Board of Trustees, the Pastor/Parish Relations Committee, and the Finance Committee.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing, boating, camping, and communing with nature during his free time.

Bill is survived by his children, William H. Keller, IV, and Gabrielle Margurite McCusker, and his grandchildren, Rachel Keller, Rebecca McCusker, Kyle Keller, Kristen Keller, and Joshua Keller, his brother Robert Keller of West Deptford, New Jersey, his sister Isabelle Cooper of Woodbury Heights, New Jersey, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel, 303 Chaney Ave., Jacksonville, North Carolina, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A service to honor Colonel Bill Keller's life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 305 Lakeside Dr., Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 10:30 AM, where family and friends are invited to celebrate his life.

Burial with full military honors will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Montford Point Rd., Jacksonville, North Carolina.