Billy Keenum

With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce that Billy Keenum, 82, of Lake Charles passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022 in Houston Methodist Hospital.

Billy was born on January 18, 1940 in Roswell, NM.  He was what an American success story looked like. Although Billy came from humble beginnings, he played football and ran track at Greenwood High School in Greenwood, Mississippi. He was the first member of his family to attend college and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Mississippi State University. Shortly after graduation, he married the love of his life, Jo. He then entered the United States Air Force and proudly served our country for the next 26 years, which allowed him to travel the globe.  He served in the Vietnam War and retired with the rank of Captain.  Billy was a member of St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church where he occasionally served as an usher.

Billy’s legacy included having the privilege of watching both his sons graduate from college, and all three of his grandchildren further their education in college and graduate school. He instilled the attitude of hard work, education, love for family, and love for country in his family. He had the privilege of being retired longer than he worked, which allowed him and Jo to travel extensively.  Billy had a passport most would envy.  Together they rode mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, enjoyed the thrill of white-water rafting, celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary with a trip to Russia and their fiftieth to walk on The Great Wall of China.  Billy never met a stranger and loved talking to people.  He enjoyed going to garage/estate sales.  He also enjoyed western movies, books and all things football. You could often find him supporting his local teams, the Barbe High School Buccaneers, McNeese State Cowboys, and attending The Independence Bowl each year. He enjoyed attending exercise class and taking walks around the park with Jo.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of more than fifty-eight years, Jo Keenum of Lake Charles; sons, Jeffrey Keenum of Lake Charles and Michael Keenum (Gabi) of Lubbock, TX; and his beloved grandchildren, Mikaela, Shaler, and Chloe Keenum.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lottie and Otis Keenum.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 18, 2022 at St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Dr. John Robert Black will officiate.  Visitation at the church will begin at 9:00 AM until noon. Private Interment services with military honors will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church, 1500 Country Club Rd., Lake Charles, LA 70605, the American Heart Association, heart.org, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, stjude.org.