William Ryan Keig was born in California.
Bill received a BA from Yale University on a full scholarship, served in the US Navy during World War II, and returned to Yale for an MA.
In 1945 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise Knittle. They were married until her passing in 2003.
He received a second MA from Stanford University in Education, and began teaching in 1951. He served as principal-superintendent at Encinal Elementary School and then assistant superintendent in the Morgan Hill Unified School District from 1958 until his retirement in 1983.
Bill leaves his children William Edmonds Keig, Catherine Ann Keig (husband James Hayes), Carol Mona Keig (husband Leonard Von Hoogenstyn) and Leslie Joanne Keig (partner David Simms). He leaves his four grandchildren Margaret Keig (husband Zander Keig), Elizabeth Briggs (husband Zachary Briggs), Ryan Campbell and Douglas Campbell, and his two great-grandchildren Ian and Mollie Briggs.
He was proud to state of his children: “All of the family graduated from college, some more than once.”
Following their father’s lead, all four of his children have made careers in public service. Bill leaves behind many other family, friends, his dear friend Phyllis Bellet and her family, and the thousands whose lives he touched.
Bill devoted his life to education, especially the education of women. He was one of the first men to become a member of Morgan Hill’s chapter of the American Association of University Women.
He served on the City of Morgan Hill’s Senior Advisory Committee, on the vestry of St. John The Divine Episcopal Church, and was a contributor to Morgan Hill’s Friends Of The Library. He will be remembered for his commitment to public service, and for his love of music, bridge tournaments, stories, and jokes.
Bill died in Santa Teresa Hospital peacefully in his sleep, attended by loving family, of complications from bladder cancer.
A memorial service will be held in celebration of Bill’s life at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church on 17740 Peak Avenue in Morgan Hill on Wednesday, November 23, at 11:00 A.M. Reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, a donation is suggested to the AAUW scholarship fund. (Make check to AAUW-MH, memo “scholarships,” and mail to AAUW-MH, PO Box 1528, Morgan Hill, CA 95038.)
