William Henry Keith

William (Bill) Henry Keith passed away peacefully at his home in Niles, MI on January 31, 2024, at the age of 77. He was born on October 1, 1946, in Milwaukee, WI to George Keith and Katherine Anne Keith Postman. After the death of his father when Bill was 8 years old, the family moved to Maryland. When he was 15 years old, his mother remarried. Richard Postman would fulfill the role of a true father to Bill and his three sisters, helping to instill in them strength of character, integrity and strong Christian values.

After moving to Maryland, Bill attended the Pennsylvania Avenue SDA Church and there met the young girl who would become the love of his life. On June 28, 1970, he married Dorothea Pauline Stokes. They would be married for 53 years.

Prior to his marriage, Bill attended Andrews University, earning a BS in Industrial Education. He would use the practical skills he learned throughout the rest of his life, though mostly not in the workplace. While he worked construction for a brief time, he mostly used his skills around the house where he was able to repair most issues and to help in remodeling the sequential homes in which he and/or his daughters lived. While attending Andrews University, he so enjoyed Berrien Springs that he moved from Maryland with his wife and new baby daughter back to the area. He lived in the Berrien County area for the rest of his life.

Most of Bill’s career was in sales and marketing, but he was mostly interested in the customer service aspect of sales. His personal approach, strong work ethic, integrity and deep knowledge of the products he was selling created loyal customers. During his career, he first sold power tools then re-tread tires then life insurance and, finally, printing. He refused to sell inferior products or stint his customers in any way. He only sold life insurance for a short time. He soon realized that whole life insurance was what he termed a scam so he refused to even offer it to his customers and would only sell term life policies. This reduced his earning potential to the point where he couldn’t really make an adequate living. This lead him to make yet another change in career, this time to the sales and marketing of printing, which he enjoyed for many years until he retired.

Outside of his commitment to family, Bill’s deepest interests were in studying the Bible and missions. He taught in the Sabbath School Junior division for many years and then taught adult Sabbath School for many more. He was an active participant in several Bible study groups over the years as well. In 2005, he went on his first mission trip with the Village SDA Church to Armenia. This was also the first church-sponsored mission trip for the Village SDA Church. From this trip, Bill caught the “missions bug” and was instrumental in helping the church to catch the bug, too. Since recurring trips to Armenia would have been wonderful, but prohibitively expensive, the church decided to engage in mission trips to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation centered in Poplar, Montana. Bill was asked to be team co-leader. He would eventually lead yearly trips to Montana for 10 years. Due in large part to his passion and the success of these trips, the Village SDA Church continues to minister in Montana. A large number of church members have now also served as short-term, student and/or long-term missionaries domestically and throughout the world. Bill was part of a small seed that continues to grow and blossom to bless the church, community and world.

William was preceded in death by his father, George Keith, step-father, Richard Postman and his mother, KatherineAnne Postman. His legacy of love and kindness lives on through his beloved wife, Dorothea; his daughters, Katherine Keith and Karen Marsh (Timothy); his sisters, Betty Johnson (Bill), Barbara Johnson, and Beverly Price (Steve); and his adored grandchildren, Eliana and Elise Marsh.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held February 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Village SDA Church in Berrien Springs. His impact on those around him was profound, and his memory will be honored in the hearts of his loved ones and the community he served so selflessly. “ ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Sprit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’ ” Revelation 14:13

“ ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:21

Arrangements for William Henry Keith have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs. His obituary can be found at www.AllredFuneralHome.com, where memories and messages of condolence can be shared.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following ministries that Bill so loved:

Montana mission ministry c/o Village SDA Church, 635 St Joseph Ave, Berrien Springs MI 49103

Village Adventist Elementary School - Student Assist

409 W Mars St, Berrien Springs MI 49103 or

c/o Village SDA Church, 635 St Joseph Ave, Berrien Springs MI 49103