More than eight decades after making the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country, World War II Army Tech 5 William Paul “Billy” Keele has finally returned home.
On Wednesday, a solemn procession escorted Keele’s remains from the airport in Little Rock to Greenwood. The Arkansas State Police, Greenwood Police Department, and scores of motorcycle riders accompanied the flag-draped casket as it made its way through western Arkansas.
The procession arrived in Greenwood at approximately 2:06 p.m., where veterans, first responders, and residents lined Main Street to honor a soldier whose journey home took 84 years.
Keele’s casket was received at McConnell Funeral Home, where it will remain until 9:15 a.m. Friday. At that time, an escorted procession will travel to Fort Smith National Cemetery for a 10 a.m. funeral service with full military honors.
Born Dec. 5, 1917, in Tennessee, William Paul Keele enlisted in the United States Army Quartermaster Corps on Sept. 30, 1940. He was assigned to the 33rd Quartermaster Truck Regiment in the Philippine Islands during World War II.
Following the fall of the Philippines in April 1942, Keele was captured by Japanese forces and endured the brutal Bataan Death March, during which American and Filipino prisoners were forced to march approximately 65 miles with little food, water, or medical care. Those who survived faced continued hardship in prisoner-of-war camps.
Keele was imprisoned at the Cabanatuan POW Camp, where he died in captivity on July 16, 1942, at the age of 24. His death was recorded on a condensed milk can, and he was buried in a common grave with fellow servicemen who also gave their lives in service to their country. In 1948, the remains from those graves were transferred to Manila for identification efforts. After decades of waiting and advanced forensic work, Keele has now been identified and is finally returning home.
For his courage and sacrifice, Keele was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
He is survived by his sister, Janet Canada of Huntington, Arkansas, along with several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
The community is invited to participate in Friday’s final escort and burial as Greenwood and the River Valley pay tribute to one of America’s heroes. After 84 years, Tech 5 William “Billy” Keele is finally coming home.
