In case you didn't know, Bill Keitz was the founder/publisher of the Camp Chase Gazette, for whom I used to write 1987-2001. This being the major national Civil War reenacting magazine (now in its 41st year), he was therefore an important formative figure in the hobby. I always enjoyed his highly entertaining, unguarded, tell-it-like-it-is writing style - complete with the typos and questionable grammar that formed a part of it. He was never, ever, boring. Farewell, Bill. Here's hoping that celestial camp in which you now dwell meets your expectations! - Jonah
Bill Keitz Obituary
Published in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (Ohio), 23 December 2012
William Paul Keitz
ROSS: William Paul Keitz, age 69 of Ross, Ohio formerly of Lancaster, Ohio passed away Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 at his residence after a severe battle with cancer. He was born on April 23, 1943 in Bellaire, Ohio the son of Sarah (Mentz) and Nicholas Keitz.
He attended St. John Catholic School and Church in Bellaire, Ohio and graduated from Millersport High School. In 1961, he enlisted in the US Navy and was an E-5 serving on the Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga. On June 4, 1967 he married Nancy Ann Highley at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Lancaster. Together they raised two daughters, April Dawn and Kandace Korrine. Nancy preceded him in death in 1982 after a losing her fight with breast cancer.
William worked as a designer for Anchor Hocking Glass Corp., Lancaster Glass Corp., Mirror Nuclear Design System, RCA Glass & Industrialized Powder Metal Systems. He served as Union Secretary for NALC Branch 340 until he retired from the U.S. Post Office in Lancaster in 2004. Having a love for Civil War History, William founded and established the Civil War Reenactors Magazine in 1972, entitled The Camp Chase Gazette which is still in print to this day. He was a member of American Legion Post #11 in Lancaster. He also loved to work in his garden and was a very accomplished artist. William was baptized in July 2007 and became a member of the Ross Christian Church. On December 22, 2007, he married Joy Frances (Cearley) Keitz.
He is survived by his best friend and beloved wife, Joy Keitz; daughters April Dawn (Eric) Hawkenson and Kandace Korrine (Nicholas) Klein all of Washington D.C.; his grandchildren, Colin William Hawkenson, Brien Andrew Hawkenson, Emily Ann Klein, and Nicholas Richard Klein II; his step-children, Jennifer (Mike) Campbell and Scott Whaley; step-granddaughters, Jillian Campbell and Cassie Campbell; his very precious best sister, Mary Louise Long of Cambridge, Ohio; and many in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins and loving friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy; one brother, Louis August Keitz; and one sister, Elizabeth Ann Robson.
There will be visiting hours at Halteman-Fett and Dyer Funeral Home, 436 North Broad Street, Lancaster, Ohio on Thursday, December 27, 2012 from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12 noon. Burial will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery where the Lancaster Veterans Burial Detail will conduct graveside rites.
In lieu of flowers, William suggested donations to one of his two favorite charities: Smile Train or The Wounded Warrior program.
