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In Memoriam
William B. Keene
 

March 22, 2004--William B. Keene, 70, of Newark, died March 19 at home.

Mr. Keene devoted most of his professional life to Delaware public education at all levels and held several positions at UD.

He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UD in 1955 and 1965, respectively, and he earned his doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

He was a teacher and principal at Brandywine Springs Junior High School, superintendent of the Appoquinimink School District, state superintendent of public instruction, and director of School/University Partnerships at the University of Delaware. Even after he retired from UD in 1998, he continued to be involved in the Delaware Academy of School Leadership in UD’s Institute of Public Administration.

Mr. Keene served on the boards the Wellness Community, Jobs for Delaware Graduates, Tech Prep Delaware, Delaware Council on Economic Education, Del-Mar-Va Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Teacher in Space Program. He was a trustee of Goldey Beacom College and president of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSS0) in 1990.

In 2001, the Christina School District recognized his contributions to education by the naming of the William B. Keene Elementary School in the Bear-Glasgow area after him.

He retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel with the 390th Civil Affairs Unit.

Mr. Keene was president of the Kappa Alpha fraternity.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jean Hayes Keene; his daughters, Linda M. Greene and her husband, Doug, Susan Keene Haberstroh and her husband, Pat, his son W. Blair Keene and Pam Slivka, and his grandchildren, Sean and Dylan Greene, Kayla and Lauren Haberstroh, Jessica Haberstroh Eberts, Erin Fultz, his cousin, Mitch Wilborn and other relatives and friends.

Friends and colleagues are invited to attend a visitation from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, March 25, at Clayton Hall. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 26, at Pearson Hall, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. Burial is private.

In recognition of Mr. Keene's commitment to education in Delaware, the family suggests contributions in his name to the William B. Keene Endowed Scholarship c/o R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 West Main St., Newark, DE 19711.