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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of William "Bill" Keith of Rock Island,
4who passed away on May 24, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bill Keith was born in West Liberty, Iowa to
6William F. and Velva Dunlap Keith on April 7, 1923; he was
7raised by his aunt and uncle, Henry and Marcella Wichelman, on
8a farm in rural Davenport; he graduated from Davenport High
9School in 1941; he served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Iowa
10during World War II; he married Donna L. Esterbrook in 1946,
11and she preceded him in death on February 25, 1998; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Bill Keith purchased the Tri-City Publishing Co.
13in 1955, and he served as editor of the Tri-City Labor Review
14until his retirement in 1991; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Bill Keith was an avid golfer, a championship
16bridge player, a bowler, a boater, a water skier, and a snow
17skier; he was known for being a prankster, and his pranks were
18often accompanied by his distinctly recognizable laugh; he
19will be remembered for finding joy in everything he did and
20bringing joy to everyone he touched; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Bill Keith was preceded in death by his parents,

 

 

SR0330- 2 -LRB102 18691 LAW 27152 r

1his wife, and five siblings; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Bill Keith is survived by his daughter, Vicky
3Keith, and her wife, Madeliene Abling; his son, William Keith
4Jr., and his life partner, Dorothy Gehlken; his grandson, Eric
5(Tara) Keith; his sisters, Lucille Nealson, Bonnie (Fred)
6King, and Barbara DeGood; and numerous nieces, nephews, and
7their families; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
9ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
10William "Bill" Keith and extend our sincere condolences to his
11family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
12further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to the family of Bill Keith as an expression of our
15deepest sympathy.