William F. Keyes, Sr. of Bluebell, and a former resident of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday October 1, 2025. He was 85 years old.

Bill was the beloved husband of Maryann Keyes (nee Bulicz) with whom he shared a lifetime together and was about to celebrate 65 years of marriage with on October 15th.

Born August 29, 1940 in the Swampoodle section of Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John and Margaret (nee Donovan) Keyes and joins them along with his beloved son Brian in eternal life.

In addition to his wife, Maryann, Bill is survived by his remaining four children, William L. Jr. (Maria), Maryelizabeth H. (Anthony Vennera), Sean M. (Kathleen), and Michael F. (Megan); his 18 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and his sister Mary Trodden.

Bill graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1958 and followed that serving his country in the United States Coast Guard. He made his career in the Philadelphia Police Department where he took great pride in his work as an officer in the Accident Investigation Division, serving 28 years on the force. Continuing his life of service, Bill finished his working life delivering medicine with Penn Health Home Infusion, working for Penn for 10 years.

A man of faith and blessed with a beautiful voice, Bill was a member of his choir and a lead cantor at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia for 36 years.

While a laidback man of quiet dignity and great dependability- the person you called in an emergency at 2 am- Bill loved a party, loved spending time with his family and friends, would start and lead a sing a long with great joy and amazing skill, and was frequently wearing his signature cheeky smile after some sort of mischievous joke or comment.

His greatest love was his wife Maryann, who he lovingly referred to as “my bride,” their love story spanning 69 years with almost 65 of those years being married. They built a beautiful family together and were amazingly generous in their love for their kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, taking great pride in the life they had built together. Bill and Maryann were endlessly devoted to one another and wildly in love, spending all their time together and giggling like teenagers even into their 80s.

A devoted father, grandfather, brother, friend, and husband, Bill blessed his loved ones with his stalwart presence and warmth, a constant source of loyalty, support, and love.

Relatives and friends are invited to share in Bill’s Life Celebration on Thursday October 9, from 1 PM to 2:20 PM at St. Helena’s Church 1489 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell. His Memorial Mass will begin at 2:30 PM at the church. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html