William Keel
Swansea | Save
Dr. William “Bill” Richard Keel, 90, of Swansea, IL, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on June 30, 1936, in Collinsville, IL and was baptized and confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville where he received his Christian education.
After Holy Cross Grade School and Collinsville High School, Bill’s college education started with a Bachelor of Science in Teaching of Chemistry from the University of Illinois where he participated in the reactivation of Beta Sigma Psi Lutheran Fraternity. He then earned a master’s degree in education from Washington University, a Specialist Degree from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, and a PhD in Education from Saint Louis University. He also completed a Master of Divinity at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis.
Bill’s occupations began as a chemistry, physics, math teacher, and tennis coach at Lutheran High School – Central (St. Louis) and at Belleville Township High School as a chemistry teacher. He was a chemistry teacher at Belleville Area College, then Assistant to the President, and later President. Next, Bill was President at Saint Paul’s College and High School in Concordia, MO, Director at Southwest Illinois Area Agency on Aging and Director at Mid-East (Missouri) Area Agency on Aging.
Bill was a previous board member of Lutheran Elementary School Association and Belleville Memorial Hospital. He was a member of the Downtown Belleville Optimist Club and served a term as President. At Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, Bill served as Congregation President, was a member of the Church Board of Elders, School Board of Education, and Endowment Committee, Sunday school superintendent, bible class teacher, and authored “Living Stones, The History of Zion Lutheran Church”. Bill also received a lifetime achievement alumnus award from Beta Sigma Psi where three sons, four grandsons and two nephews became members.
Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed the University of Illinois basketball and football, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. He liked traveling with Bonnie and family and watching grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events. He played church league softball and was able to play on the same team as some of his sons. Bill was also enthusiastic about playing golf in the T&T league and with family and friends.
Bill’s wish was to spread the word of God through his actions; he wanted his legacy to be for everyone to know about Jesus. Those who knew him will agree he accomplished this goal during his long life.
He was preceded in death by his father, Maurice J. Keel; his mother, Olga M. Keel, nee Niebruegge; in-laws, Wilmer and Florence Schmidt, nee Thorburg; his aunt, Norma L. Niebruegge and brother-in-law, Duane Baum.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Joan Keel, nee Schmidt, whom he married on June 7, 1958 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wartburg, IL; children, Mark (Carolyn) Keel of Shiloh, IL, Steven (Cindy) Keel of Millstadt, IL, Kimberly (Phillip) Cavarretta of Wentzville, MO, Thomas (Lisa) Keel of Lee’s Summit, MO, Julie (Doug) Nitz of Swansea, IL, and Joel (Jennifer) Keel of Shiloh, IL; his treasured grandchildren, Anthony (Christine) Keel, Justin Keel, Amy (Jared) Siebert, Kristin Garrett, Ashley (Luke) Shalenko, Taylor (John) Kaschke, Victoria (Shawn) Wolf, Joshua (Ashlinn) Cavarretta, Caleb Cavarretta, Tyler (Maggie) Keel, April Keel, Weston Keel, Alaina Keel, Brandon (Brianna) Nitz, Blake (Gracie) Nitz, Brittney Nitz, Addison Keel (James Sauermann), Alex Keel (Haley Petterson), and Klaire Keel; and 22 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Arlene Baum, Howard (Michael) Schmidt, Dennis (Jane) Schmidt and Linda (Bruce) Bauer.
Memorials may be made to the Zion Sanctuary Renovation or the Zion Scholarship Fund, in care of Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2026, and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Zion Lutheran School gymnasium, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Zion Lutheran School gymnasium, with Rev. Chris Spelbring officiating.
Burial will be at Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery, Wartburg, IL.
Renner Funeral Home
