William Francis Keesecker (1918 - 1992)

Ancestors

Biography

Birth: Aug. 28, 1918 Death: Jul. 19, 1992

h/o; Mary Jane (Murray) Keesecker-Baird.

Served during World War II. William was a Chaplin on a ship out Norfolk, Virginia.

Biography by Mary Jane (Murray) Keesecker-Baird Excerpts from the book entitled; "From Kansas Farm Boy to Moderator A Short History of the Life of Rev. William Francis Keesecker"

William Francis Keesecker had a hard time in his younger years. He was born on a farm in Washington, Kansas (it is still being farmed by a Keesecker after 120 years). His father, Glenn Keesecker, died during the terrible influenza plague in 1920 or 1921, when young Bill was 3 or almost 4. His two brothers were Max, who was 14, and Oak, who was out of high school.

William's mother, Maude Frances King Keesecker, had a brother, Ellsworth King (Uncle Ess) living a mile from them, so he really helped a great deal, and tried to help out like a father.

Then along came the dust bowl, and the depression (1932 to 1938), so life became even harder. Often there was no money. They produced pigs, vegetables, and a few chickens to feed themselves, but they had little else.

William rode a horse two miles to a rural grade school and then into town for high school. He did well in school except for arithmetic.

William played football in high school and sang tenor in several music groups. His mother saw to it that "Billy" got up on Sundays and went to Sunday school and church with her – much to his regret. He would have preferred to stay home and work on an old watch (a hobby he continued as an adult). But she insisted he go with her.

There was a young minister, just out of seminary, and his wife at this small rural Presbyterian church. His name was Bud DeJung, and he was full of energy and life. He had a big influence on young Bill. He was kind of a mentor to Bill, and that persuaded William to go into the ministry.

After high school, William went to college at College of Emporia, in Emporia Kansas. There he got a job to help pay his way. Also he worked on threshing teams in the summer and made a little there to pay for his first year in college. Bill was in his second year when Mary Jane Murray arrived at C of E. He was living on the 4th floor of the dorm and one of his friends there knew Mary, and suggested William date Mary. So one night William and Mary along with two other couples, went on a date together in a car. From then on William and Mary were a "couple." During Mary's second year at C of E William and Mary agreed to marry someday. For a ring Mary wore William's father's black cameo ring. His mother, Max and Elva drove to Emporia to meet "Billy's" girl."

William was called to serve a small church in Peoria, Illinois. After being in this church position for 18 months, Bill enlisted in the Navy. He was called up soon after he enlisted and left in May to take 6 weeks of training at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia. After William returned, we immediately drove down to Washington to see his mother and family. Some time in 1947, or after, the Fort Scott church called William as their pastor. William and Mary remembered Fort Scott as a town they had traveled through on thier way to Chicago, remarking that they never wanted to live in that town. "Never say ‘Never'", for here William and Mary were. By November 1953, they moved to Burlington, Iowa after 7 years in Fort Scott.

After 4 years in Burlington, they found they could stay no longer due to William's health. Because of the river, he could not get over summer flu, and doctors advised them to leave Iowa. They then moved to Grace church in Wichita, Kansas where they lived for 21 years.

Oklahoma City First Presbyterian church was in great need of help, after having deep problems, and letting four ministers go, as well as the organist and choir director. William accepted "the challenge" and tackled a very sticky situation. As always, he gave his all to bring the congregation together. When we left, in 1989, almost eight years later, to retire in Overland Park, Kansas, he left a church of almost 1,800 members and a million dollar budget for the year. William was almost 70 when he decided to retire.

On June 28, 1992, William and Mary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Knox Presbyterian church Fellowship Hall. A few days later, William entered Shawnee Mission hospital for heart surgery, and died July 19, 1992.

Family links: Parents: Glenn Fitzler Keesecker (1871 - 1922) Maude Frances King Keesecker (1880 - 1961)

Spouse: Mary Jane Murray Baird (1919 - 2013)

Children: Mary Elizabeth Keesecker Land (1947 - 1995)*

Siblings: Oak Keesecker (1903 - 1963)* Max King Keesecker (1905 - 1982)* William Francis Keesecker (1918 - 1992)

• Calculated relationship

LT JG, US NAVY

Burial: Fort Scott National Cemetery Fort Scott Bourbon County Kansas, USA Plot: 7, 0, 226

1930 lived with Maude Kusecher 50 Max Kusecher 24 Billy Kusecher 11

Name: William F Keesecker Gender: Male Residence Year: 1952 Residence Place: Fort Scott, Kansas, USA Occupation: Pastor Spouse: Mary J Keesecker Publication Title: Fort Scott, Kansas, City Directory, 1952

Sources

• Year: 1930; Census Place: Farmington, Washington, Kansas; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0009; FHL microfilm: 2340460