William "Wayne" (Papaw) Keller was born December 4, 1931 in his Grand Parent's (John & Annie Tinney) home to Henry W. Keller, Jr. and Gladys (Tinney) Keller in Loyal Valley, Tx, and died Monday October 23, 2017 in his beloved Mason County, Tx home. He is survived by his children; Henry James (Hank) Keller of Mason, Donna Gayle Nettles of Mason, DeeAnn and husband Keith Willey of La Vernia ; grandchildren: Henry James "Jae" Keller II of Livingston, Amy Chism of Livingston, Joshua, Jordan, and Jessica Willey of La Vernia; and two great grandchildren: Aurora and Jacob Chism also of Livingston. Brother Carlton Roy (Buzzy) Keller & wife Bertha Marie Keller of Seguin, and Sister-In-Law Angela Keller of Big Foot, TX.
Wayne was raised in Mason County and graduated from Mason High School in 1949 he then went on to attend Texas A&M University where he was a member of The Fighting Texas Aggie Marching Band and the Corps of Cadets. Wayne served in the US Army. A mutual friend introduced Wayne to LuJane Williamson on a blind date, six weeks later on April 16, 1954 they were married at Baptist Temple in Houston. Later Wayne was a member of the choir at Baptist Temple with a melodious bass voice. When he and LuJane moved the family to Livingston, Texas in 1967, he began singing at the Central Baptist Church choir. After retiring to the Texas Hill Country in 1996, he began singing with the Methodist Church Choir in Mason, The Fredericksburg Chorral Choir, Mason Community Choir and the German Men's Choir. Wayne is a member of the James River Cowboys Association – a group of high school friends and classmates – where they would annually gather for a fishing trip and lots of storytelling. Members of that group are and were; George Keller, Edwin Ince, Waddie Jordan, Carl Martin, Gene Zesch, Harvey Zesch, Max Hey, Charles Pluenneke and Jimmy Jordan. Wayne was a member of the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department where he served as Fire Marshall and retired in 1997. Wayne was an instructor at the Texas A&M Annual Fire Training School in fire investigation. Wayne was a very proud member of the Masonic Lodge.
Wayne loved his wildlife and often fed deer, turkey, rabbits, raccoons, etc. directly from his hand. One of his greatest joys was deer hunting and being with his children and grand children as they would hunt.
Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, LuJane Williamson Keller, his parents, his youngest brother Don Stuart Keller and Daughter In Law Sindy Nixon Keller.
Visitation with the family will be Friday evening October 27th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 28th 2:00pm at the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Josh Walters of La Vernia officiating. Interment will follow in the Loyal Valley Cemetery.
Pall Bearers are Ron Keller, Kolin Keller, Wes Keller, James Keller, Joshua Willey and Jordan Willey. Honorary Pall Bearers are, Jae Keller, Kevin Keller and members of The James River Cowboys - Harvey Zesch, Max Hey, Eugene Zesch, and Jimmy Jordan.
Memorials may be made to the Hill Country Memorial Hospice, Loyal Valley Cemetery or to the charity of one's choice.