Bill was the fourth child of Enoch Newton Keen and Elizabeth Rebecca Crumley. He was born 14 November 1888 in Johnson City, Washington, Tennessee, joining older brothers Orlan and Lonnie (brother Walter died in 1887). A granddaughter says that when he was born, his mother was so disappointed at having had another son that she told the hired girl to name him. The name he would have had was Willamina, so the hired girl shortened it to "Wildie." Later would follow younger sisters Lola and Maude.
Between 1900 and 1910, the Keen family moved from Tennessee to Washington State, settling first in Ritzville and then in Walla Walla.
On 25 June 1912, Bill married Alice Murriel Johnson in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai, Idaho. They settled in Walla Walla, where they lived the rest of their lives. Bill and Alice had three daughters - Marguerite, Kathleen and Dorothea.
One granddaughter remembers that he would take her out for breakfast every weekend at a restaurant in Walla Walla, and that he sometimes laughed so hard that he cried.
Bill was a contractor, working with oldest brother Orlan "O.D." on projects and homes in the Walla Walla area.
On 25 June 1962, Bill and Alice celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family party and dinner. At that point they had six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with many more to come.
Bill died on 14 September 1963 in Walla Walla and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
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