Charles "Butch" Keller

Charles Alvin Keller, 79, passed away on November 24, 2021, at 2:36 p.m. at home.  He was born on December 15, 1941, in Cripple Creek, Colorado, (where his father worked in the coal mines) to father Charles Lester (Red) Keller and mother Jewell Romine Keller.

Charles was nicknamed “Butch” by his Grandpa Romine.  He married Shirley Ruth Riley Keller on September 28, 1987.  He served over 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring on May 1, 1979, as Chief Warrant Officer W/2.  Charles received four Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (IOLC), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.    He then worked eight years for RCA, doing the same job as he did in the Army.  He later worked over 20 years and retired from the U.S. Postal Service.  On February 2, 1998, he became a lifetime endowed member of the Eustace Masonic Lodge; on June 23, 2003, he was given the Golden Trowel Award at the Eustace Lodge.  On December 31, 2008, he became a lifetime Endowed Member at Athens Masonic Lodge #165.  In addition, he was a Deacon at Virginia Hill Baptist Church in Athens, TX.  Butch loved people and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He loved playing his guitar and volunteered at several nursing homes and would sing gospel music and give a devotional.  He loved to sing God’s Coloring Book.  He enjoyed telling everyone about his uncle/brother-in-law Lee Romine.  Lee was Butch’s mother’s brother, and Lee was married to Shirley’s sister Helen Romine.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ruth Keller; daughter Kat Fox; son Kenneth Jess Nash; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Pat McFarland Featherston; uncle/brother-in-law Lee Romine; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other family and friends.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents; sister Janice McFarland Alvarado; daughter Carolyn Fox (Carolyn died on 12/14/2020, one day before Butch’s birthday and four days before her 56th birthday); and sister-in-law/Aunt Helen Romine.

Bro. Ray Goebel will officiate for the Keller family.

Pallbearers are Clyde Kenneaster, Alex Withers, Rowdy Gabbard, Steve Estes, Kim Farguson, and Randy Daniel.  Alternate Pallbearer is Mike Burton.