Wilber Keas

Funeral service for Wilber Keas will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 16, 2010 at Walker Funeral Home with Pastor Mathew Melton of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery with full military rites provided by Wyoming National Guard and American Legion Post #42. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at Walker Funeral Home. Wilber Lyle Keas was born June 14, 1926 in rural Rooks County, near Stockton, Kansas to parents Laura Belle (Turnbull) and Chester Leo Keas. After 84 years of life, Wilber left this world peacefully on Sunday, September 12 in the presence of family at the Close to Home Hospice House in Gillette, Wyoming. Wilber was the fourth of seven children born to Laura and Chester. He is survived by sisters Clio Carson (Delbert), of Gillette, and Twila Sander (Freeman), of Stockton, daughter Linda Garcia (David) of Littleton, Colorado and son Ronald Keas (Pam) of Aberdeen, Scotland. Wilber was preceded in death by parents Chester and Laura, sister Thelma Ross, brother Warden Keas, infant brothers Harold and Doyle and daughter Charlotte Vigil. Wilber attended Stockton High School until the age of 17, when he and four friends answered the call to defend their country in the fall of 1943. Wilber joined the Navy and initially served as a gunner in the South Pacific. Despite being shot down and set adrift in the Pacific with shrapnel in his leg, shot at uncounted times, and brought down with malaria, Wilber reenlisted following his initial three year tour of duty for four more years, one in active duty and three years in the Naval Reserve. Wilber continued to demonstrate this courage to all around him in his final days. During his seven years of service, he obtained Aviation Ordinanceman Third Class status and received numerous medals and honors during his service. He was awarded a medal for Good Conduct, two stars for the Asiatic Pacific, one star for the Philippine Liberation, and a Presidential unit citation. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and soon married Mary Ann Barland, then of Damar, Kansas. He and Mary Ann brought into the world three children, Charlotte, Linda and Ron. It was his former wife Lynne who encouraged Wilber to re-establish his relationship with his children. Wilber lived many places, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, Arizona but return to his beloved Wyoming on several occasions spending most of his time here. He was a good friend to many in Gillette and Casper. His primary business was Key Chemical Company which resulted in receiving a US patent for a liquid flocculent additive. Wilber will be greatly missed by his family and all that knew him. We know that he is now at peace with the angels and all his family that has passed before him. We wish him well in his journey to a life of joy and love and though we, who are left behind will miss him, he will be with us in spirit forever. Wilber will be lovingly remembered by his children, Linda Garcia and Ronald Keas; by his grandchildren James Vigil Jr., Tamara Vigil, David Garcia Jr., Damon Garcia (Jess), Tiffani Garcia, Jeremy Keas, Ian Keas and Matthew Keas and his great grandchildren Sierra, Kyle, and Kaitlyn Vigil, and Olivia, Sophie and Noah Garcia. Condolences may be sent in care of Linda Garcia to the Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette Wyoming, 82716. Family and friends are welcome to share a tribute, treasured memory, or message of comfort in the guestbook located at the Chapels website: www.gillettememorialchapel.com. The family suggests in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation to The Veterans Home of Wyoming, 700 Veterans Lane, Buffalo, Wyoming 82834-9402 or to the Close to Home Hospice c/o Campbell County Healthcare Foundation, Gillette, Wyoming.