VAN BUREN, Mo. - David Wilson Keathley died July 31, 2017. When he discovered he was in renal failure David wrote the following:
I was born Nov. 30, 1937 to my parents Harrison and Virginia Keathley, in South Van Buren, Mo. Both parents died in 1999. One sister, Joan Koper of Bowling Green, Ky.
I graduated from VB High School in 1955, and attended one year of college at Central Mo Methodist in Fayette, Mo. I enlisted in the U.S.A.F. in 1956 and served in France and Germany until 1960. I then attended the University of Mo at Columbia through 1965, receiving a Bachelor of Art degree in 1962 and a Jurist Doctor degree in 1965.
I practiced law in Poplar Bluff from 1965-86. In 1986, I purchased the Beamer Handle Co. in Van Buren from my father Harrison and Uncle Wayne Keathley. I operated the business until it burned to the ground in 2007. I have been a proud member of the Missouri Bar and have maintained my license to practice law until my death. In 2013, I was presented with a certificate stating I had achieved 'Senior Status' as a Missouri Bar Member for 50 years.
In 1957, I was married to Donna K. Cadmus and we had two children, Bryan Cadmus and Rebecca Anne.
In 1980, I was married to Joyce Lynn Sturgeon and her three children, Stahl, Wade and Clint. I have eight grandchildren.
I have been a member of the United Methodist Church since 1948 and have finally come to realize that the greatest thing in life is loving and serving God.
My greatest joys on this earth have been my wife, Joyce, all our children, grandchildren, fishing, Van Buren, Carter County and the United States of America. My only wish is that I could have done more to serve God.
Memorials - Van Buren United Methodist Church flood rebuilding fund, PO Box 1120, Van Buren, Mo. 63965.
Service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 5th at the Big Spring Park, Hwy. 103, in Van Buren, Missouri with follow up at the Keathley Home in Van Buren, Mo.
Paid