William E. "Bill" Keys Jr., 73, of Tampa, Fla., died on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, at Tampa General Hospital.

He was born on Nov. 20, 1947, in Cumberland, the son of the late William E. Keys Sr. and Greta L. (Allen) Keys. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda (Tramel) Keys, who he married on Oct. 2, 1971.

He is survived by his children, Leesa Keys-Waite, of Everett, Pa., William E. Keys III and wife, Cenessia, of Swansea, Ill., Christiane Keys, of Tampa, and Crystal Robinson, also of Tampa; six grandchildren, Khalil Keys, Kiana Keys, Sebastian Keys, Zoelle Keys, Roman Robinson, and Victor Robinson; two sisters and one brother, Frances Keys Dickson, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Van Keys and wife, Lugene, of Palmyra, Pa., and Janice Leppert and husband, Brooke, of Bedford, Pa.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Keys.

Bill was a 1965 graduate of Bedford High School. Afterwards, he joined the Air Force and served from 1967 to 1977. After living and working in Orlando, he returned to Bedford with his family where he worked at Kennametal for many years and later retired from ATK in Cumberland. After retiring, he moved to Tampa. Always quick to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, he was beloved by his family and all who knew him.

Funeral services will be private.

Burial at Maryland Veterans Cemetery at Rocky Gap.

Arrangements by the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford. Our online guestbook is available at www.berekbilefuneralhome.com.