KILMARNOCK—William Raynard “W.R.” Keyser Jr., passed away Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the age of 94.
W.R. was born on May 30, 1932, to the late William Raynard Keyser Sr. and Bertha Sisson Keyser of Mila, the oldest son in a family of nine. He was a 1950 graduate of Wicomico High School, where he played baseball.
After graduation W. R. enlisted in the Air Force and was assigned to Randolph AFB in Texas. He later transferred to Pine Castle AFB in Florida where he met Patricia Ann Mayer. During his service in the Air Force, he maintained the 50 caliber machine guns on B-29 bombers. He was honorably discharged in August 1953 and married Patsy in October 1953. They returned home to Virginia, where he and Patsy had ten children.
He was known as a man that never met a stranger, would always lend a helping hand and had a natural talent of being able to fix anything. He also had an amazing memory for phone numbers and solving math problems and calculations in his head. He worked for George Noblett Inc. from 1953 to 1969, Sears Service from 1970 to 1984, and then started his own business W.R. Keyser Ltd. from 1984 until his retirement in 1996.
W.R. was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Kilmarnock, and an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council #11667.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant son, John Michael; daughter, Mary Keyser Harding; his first wife, Patsy; second wife, Minvera; brother, Dallas Keyser; and sisters, Juanita Ashburn, Pauline Norris and Shirley Davis.
He is survived by his children, Jane Keyser (Michael Krumbein), Helen Keyser Webb, Mark (Suzanne), James, Paul (Jami), Denis, John and Leonard (Chrissy); son-in-law, Emerson Harding; 18 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and the Reiblich family.
He is also survived by his brother Warren Keyser (Frances); sisters, Bertha Kelly, Iris Garrison and Jeanette Walker; as well as many nieces and nephews and a special friend, Mike Thrift.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Lancashire for their compassionate care.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Currie Funeral Home, 116 East Church Street, Kilmarnock. The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 154 East Church Street, Kilmarnock.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Healthy Harvest Food Bank, P. O. Box 735, Warsaw, Virginia 22572.
