1962-2026
William "Bill" Scott Keck, 64, died peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 28, 2026, at home on his farm near Raymond.
Bill was born June 24, 1962, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to the late Harold F. and Ruth Ann (Lautenbach) Keck.
He grew up on his family’s small farm near Zanesfield, Ohio, and graduated from Benjamin Logan High School in 1980. He went on to attend The Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1984, majoring in Agricultural Mechanization and Systems and minoring in Agricultural Education and Aviation. He also earned his master’s degree in Education Administration from Ohio State in 1991.
During his college years, Bill earned his private pilot’s license, and he went on to earn an instrument rating and commercial license. He managed the flying club AeroSquadron based at the OSU airport from 1984 to 1987.
In 1985, Bill started his teaching career at the Licking County Joint Vocational School, teaching agricultural mechanics. In 1987, he began teaching agriculture at Marysville High School, where he remained until retiring in 2020. During his teaching career, he and his fellow teachers expanded the agriculture class offerings and developed the Marysville FFA Chapter into a nationally recognized program. He also worked with Ohio State to help train dozens of student teachers and was delighted that two of his former Marysville Ag students, Shari Anderson and Ashley Thompson, eventually became his fellow Ag teachers at Marysville. In addition, he taught Lab Pedagogy to aspiring ag teachers as an adjunct professor at Ohio State from 2008 until 2012.
After retiring from teaching, Bill was elected to the Marysville Board of Education and served as president of the school board for two years. He believed strongly in the value of public education and was a tireless advocate for the students and staff of the Marysville school system.
Bill and his wife Gail were married for 40 years, which is a long time, but not long enough. They met at Ohio State and were married on June 28, 1986. They started farming near Raymond in 1989 and expanded their family farm to include grain crops as well as hogs and cattle. Bill was an expert mechanic and didn’t hesitate to tackle a wide variety of farm maintenance and home improvement projects from rebuilding concrete foundations and laying brick to rewiring buildings, replacing windows and overhauling farm machinery. His children spent many hours learning by his side, holding flashlights and handing him tools.
In 2019, Bill achieved one of his long-time goals to own an airplane, and in the years since, he enjoyed many flights in his Cessna N5154 with friends and family. Besides aviation, he enjoyed boating on Lake Erie and had an irrational affection for old wooden boats.
Bill was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Bellefontaine, where he served on the property committee and on the board of the New Life Charitable Foundation. He was also a member of the Union County Farm Bureau, Northwestern Lions Club and Marysville FFA Alumni.
He was awarded an Honorary American FFA Degree in 2013 and a lifetime achievement award from the Ohio Association of Agricultural Educators in 2016.
He is survived by his wife, Gail Caplinger Keck, and their three children: Ellen (Zach) Jones of Huron, Ohio; Carol (Austin) Hamilton of Moore, SC; and David Keck of Zanesfield, Ohio. He is also survived by three granddaughters, August Hamilton, Harper Jones and Emily Jones; a grandson, Emmett Hamilton; his sister, Susan (Thomas) Seeley of Zanesfield; and six nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant grandson, Micah Hamilton.
The family thanks all the friends and former students who offered their prayers and concern following Bill’s Glioblastoma diagnosis last fall. The visits, calls, texts, and cards were a welcome distraction during a difficult time.
Contributions may be made to the Marysville FFA Alumni for the benefit of Marysville FFA members or to First Lutheran Church’s New Life Charitable Foundation.
Bill’s family will greet friends on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 2 pm to 5 pm at the First Lutheran Church of Bellefontaine, 208 W. Sandusky Ave., Bellefontaine, OH 43311. Funeral Services will be held the next day, Monday, August 3, 2026, at 11 am at the church with Rev. Lawrence Novak officiating. Burial will follow at North Greenfield Cemetery.
Underwood Funeral Home is honored to serve Bill’s family. Condolences may be expressed to them at www.UnderwoodFuneralHome.com
