William Charles Keyser

William Charles Keyser (Bill) was born on July 9th 1941 in Nashville TN, the third and youngest child to Albert & Elizabeth (Punch) Keyser. Soon after Bill’s birth they moved back to Pensacola FL where he grew up on E. Lakeview Ave. This is where his love for the water was born whether it be water skiing, sailing and anything else involving boats. When Bill turned 14 he rode his bike up to Pensacola airport and found his newest and biggest life passion, flying. Eventually he got his first aviation job at Bell Aviation working for Odie Bell. He swapped working on the ground doing anything he could to gain flying time and instruction. Bill soloed on his 16th Birthday, got his private pilots license on his 17th Birthday, & his Commercial Pilots License on his 18th birthday thus becoming the youngest pilot in the Pensacola area. He graduated from Pensacola High School in 1959, went to Pensacola Junior College until he entered the USAF in 1961. He was trained as a Radar tech under NORAD and stationed at the Fortuna Air Base in Fortuna ND. In 1963 he met the love of his life Vernetta J Nelson and married her on Feb 15th 1964. After Bill left the USAF in 1965 Bill & Vernetta moved to Franklin Park IL. where Bill continued his education and resumed flying in the Chicago area. Bill worked for GTE & Continental Telephone as an Electrical Engineer. In July of 1967 their son Robert was born. They lived in Illinois & Minnesota until 1976 when he left Continental Telephone and they moved back to Vernetta’s parents family farm in Zahl ND. Bill took over farming from Vernon & Eileen Nelson and built a successful Aerial Spraying business as well. Bill farmed for the next 18 years and Aerial Sprayed until 2005. Bill & Vernetta also raised & showed Registered Quarter Horses during these years. Bill began flying for Richland Aviation Inc in 1988 until Bill & Vernetta bought Servair West Inc. in 1994 a Part 135 Charter and FBO operation in Williston ND. They moved off the farm into Williston in 1995 and lived there until Vernetta’s passing in Nov of 2005. Bill sold Servair West Inc. in the spring of 2007 and soon after his home. He met Karen Marsden from Rapid City SD and they married in June of 2007 and they built their dream house in Sturgis SD up in the Canyon at Apple Springs. He and Karen lived between Sturgis & Rapid City along with much travel and time in Pensacola until Karen’s passing in Sept 2018. He moved to GA in Oct of 2018 to be near his only son & grandchildren. Bill is preceded in Death by his parents Albert & Elizabeth Keyser, his wife of 42 years marriage Vernetta J (Nelson) Keyser, infant twin daughters, his wife Karen Marsden-Keyser of 12 years marriage. His in-laws Vernon & Eileen Nelson and several Aunts & Uncles. Bill is survived by his Son Robert V. Keyser & Jennifer of Newnan GA, his Grandson Derrek R. Keyser & Marissa of Smyrna GA, his Granddaughter Danielle E. Keyser & Matthew Woodie of Buford GA., Brother Richard Keyser of Frisco TX, Sister Beth Keyser of Plano TX, Nephew Ralph Keyser of Albuquerque NM, & Niece Betsy Keyser Schroeder of Plano TX.

William Charles Keyser

July 9, 1941 - March 7, 2020