William Oliver Keller, age 91



William Oliver Keller, age 91, of Lake Lure, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017.

William was born in Gilkey, on July 2, 1925 and was the son of the late David Clarence Keller and the late Fannie Sue Dalton Keller. He enlisted in the Navy on October 13, 1943 and was discharged on September 15, 1945 having lost vision in one eye during the D-Day Invasion. He was a Seaman First Class and a Normandy D-Day survivor. During the 1940's He was employed by Chimney Rock Lumber Co. and Chimney Rock Park. During the 1950's He owned and operated Valley Handcrafts. In the 1960's He owned and operated Wood Land Picnic Park and Souvenir Store. In the 1970's He was Co-Owner of Little Beaver Campground and an associate of Kellers Real Estate. In the 1980's he retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 20 years as Postmaster of the Lake Lure Post Office. William was a life long member of the VFW and The American Legion in Lake Lure and under sponsorship of The American Legion was instrumental in establishing the areas first fire department and worked diligently to raise funds for the fire department. William was also active in the Lake Lure Civic Club and served on the town council as police commissioner and obtained the first radio system for the police department.

When he passed away he was currently serving on the Lake Lure ABC Board.

William was preceded in death by his grandson; Joel Edwin Keller Allison, two brothers; Henry Keller, and D C Keller Jr. and two sisters; Bertha Keller Dubose, Elizabeth Keller Keeter.

He is survived by his wife: MaLee Martin Keller. One daughter: Marguerite Sue Allison and husband Tim of Old Fort. One son: William Blake Keller and wife Lydia of Atlanta, GA. One brother: Jack R. Keller of Lake Lure. One grand-daughter and one great-grandson. Two sisters: Betty Ann Freeman of Marion; Mildred Fraser of Burlington. Close companions; Melvin Owensby and Ronnie Wood and a number of nieces and

nepehews.

A graveside service was held at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave, NC with Reverend Wes Shields officiating. Military Honors were given by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County at P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043.

McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of the arrangements.