On July 17, 2025, William Harvey Billy Keck, also known as Dresser Bill, 76, of Plainfield, IL, who had formerly lived in Quincy, passed away.
The son of George F. and Lavon M. Kennedy Keck, Billy was born in Quincy on December 17, 1948. He wed Michelle Mowen in Quincy on May 19, 2001. She makes it through.
Billy attended Quincy High School and graduated. Billy was injured and awarded two Purple Hearts while serving as a radio operator in the US Army during the 1966–1968 Vietnam War.
Billy completed his studies in Computer Science at Hamilton Tech in Bettendorf, Iowa, after returning home from the war. Billy worked for Kellogg’s and Honeywell before retiring from his lengthy career as a computer technician.
Billy started a second profession as a traveling pipefitter after retiring from Honeywell. He belonged to Local 597 of the Pipefitters. In addition, Billy was a dedicated member of Moose Lodge #2491 in Plainfield.
Billy loved his animals and Harleys, and he was an adventurous person. Over the years, he rode thousands of miles. He never met someone he couldn’t chat to or have a drink with because he was such an outgoing person. Billy’s contagious smile, rib-cracking quips, and one-liners made him the light of the party every time.
He was devastated for years by his experiences in Vietnam, but he found solace when he started working on the Illinois Veterans Home’s Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Billy was excited about his new home in South Dakota and enjoyed the Dakotas and bike rallies. He loved his family above all else, and he was always willing to provide a helping hand to those in need.
Along with his wife, Michelle, he is survived by his son, Tim Keck of Clearwater, Florida; a grandson, Aiden Forman of Plainfield, Illinois; three siblings, Georgian M. Ballard of LaGrange, Missouri; Sharon Otto of Quincy; and Gary (Roxanne) Wager of Chicago, Illinois; ten nieces and nephews, including Brenda (Mark) Vose, Dennis (Joan) Otto, Beth (Jim) Hugenberg, Michelle Wager, and many great nieces and great-nies.
Billy’s parents, brother John A. Keck, nephew Monty Robinson, great-nephew Elizabeth Minear Baker, and two great-nephews, Matthew and Marcus Ballard, all passed away before him.
The Vietnam Memorial Wall at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy will host a memorial service on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
Celebration of Life: South Side Boat Club in Quincy, Saturday, August 9, 2025, 12:00 p.m.
Memorials: Illinois Veterans Home Activity Fund or Critter Care Licensed Wildlife Rehab. You can make an online donation to the memorial at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/.
Hansenspear.com
You can get information from Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors, but the services will be family-directed.
