Billie Lou (Benjamin) Keil
1919 - 2003

A family memorial has been planned at Yellowstone later this summer for Reno, 
Nev. resident Billie Lou (Benjamin) Keil, 84.

Born to Franklin H. and Leona (Bolden) Benjamin in Manhattan, Mont. On Feb. 21, 
1919, Mrs. Keil died on June 30, 2003 in Bishop.

Billie Attended elementary school in Belgrade, Mont., completing high school and 
business college in Billings.  She played violin in the high school orchestra 
and drums in a small club band.  She worked for various business firms and the 
Cooperative Extension Service in Billings, while enjoying an active social life 
and many beaus.

She married Nolan Keil, a childhood friend of her brother Herman, on Dec. 30, 
1939.  While Nolan completed graduate school at the University of Minnesota, 
Billie worked on the color plate version of "Birds of North America." Published 
by the University of Minnesota Press.

During World War II the Keils moved often, and Billie worked and lived in 
Washington, Pennsylvania and California.  Billie lived at her parents' home in 
Billings from 1944-46, while Nolan served active duty in the South Pacific.  
During this time, son Stanley was born in 1944.  She shared her birthday in 1947 
with son Stephen.  Son Stuart arrived in 1949 and son Ronald arrived in 1954.

In 1949, Nolan began work with the Bureau of Land Management and family moves 
came about every three years and included Lewistown, Mont.; Rawlins, Wyo.; 
Boise, Idaho; and Temple City, Calif.

Billie worked as an enumerator for the 1960 census in Temple City, often 
accompanied by a local priest to facilitate communication.  The family then 
moved to Carmichael, Calif. in 1961, where she rose to senior secretary with 
AeroJet General Corporation.

The family moved to Reno, Nev., in 1966 and Billie worked for the Reno Home 
Builders Association and various doctors as an office manager.  Both Billie and 
Nolan fell in love with Reno and retired there following one last temporary move 
to Washington D.C. from 1972-73.

Following retirement, Billie volunteered thousands of hours at Washoe Medical 
Center and served as an officer on the auxiliary board.

Billie and Nolan enjoyed trailering the U.S. and traveled to many foreign 
countries where they continued to widen their circle of friends.

She was an avid square dancer and active in square dancing competitions.  One of 
her favorite memories was dancing on the Lawrence Welk Show in Los Angeles.  
Billie participated in numerous bridge clubs, bowling leagues and camping groups 
and enjoyed gardening.

Billie was an excellent cook and home canner.  Her Christmas candies were always 
a seasonal highlight.  She was an excellent camper and tolerant of fisherman.  
She loved Yellowstone National Park, enjoying more than 30 summer vacations and 
camping  trips there.

Most importantly, she was a loving wife and mother, a peacemaker, good friend 
and inspirational role model to those who knew her.  She put the welfare of 
those around her first and made many sacrifices that were the cornerstone of a 
successful marriage, a robust family and a wide network of friends.  Even in her 
last few months, she had a wonderful smile, and glow for visiting friends and 
family.

Billie was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Nolan F. Keil; her 
parents; sister, Helen Rustad; and brothers, Herman and Jack Benjamin, all of 
Billings, Mont.

She is survived by sons, Stanley and wife Kathy of Muncie, Ind., Stephen and 
wife Alice of Sunspot, N.M., Stuart of Fort Collins, Colo., and Ronald and wife 
JoEllen of Bishop; grandchildren, Pamela and Wesley of Sunspot, N.M., Edward 
Emmer of New York City, John Emmer and Benjamin Keil of Santa Monica, Melanie 
and Kimberly of Fort Collins, Bryce and Brandon of Bishop, and great-
granddaughter, Innanna Maguson of Fort Collins.

The family has requested that donations in Billie's memory be made to the 
Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 710 W. 168th Street, New York, N.Y., 10032, or 
the donor's favorite charity.

The Inyo Register
Bishop, Inyo County, California
Tuesday, July 8, 2003 - Page A-3

Transcribed by Pat Houser for Inyo County GenWeb, February 25, 2005