Stanley William Mckeil

Stanley William McKeil, 86 of Chino Valley passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015. He was born February 24, 1929 in Columbia, SD.

Stan joined the U.S. Army at age 17 with his mother’s written permission. He served in Germany, later in Korea as a Sargent with the Military Police, and at Fort Ord, CA until his discharge in 1952.

Stan loved the beauty and weather of Salinas Valley, so he stayed and started his family. He worked for Salinas Valley Vegetable Exchange and other farming companies for the next 30 years. He relocated to Oxnard, CA to continue his farming with Dave Walsh and Jackson Farms until he retired in 1994.

After retiring, he lived the next 21 years in Chino Valley, AZ keeping very active with his yard and working for other neighbors to landscape theirs. He also enjoyed feeding birds, listening to old country music and watching NASCAR racing.

Stan was preceded in death by his wife Ben Ruth Cogburn McKeil, his son-in-law Mark Lipham, his father William Bingham McKeil, his mother Hazel (Severson) Strong, his step-father Kenneth Strong, his half-brothers Dennis, Darrell and Dean Strong, and his half-sister Judy Strong Gefroh.

Stan is survived by his wife Deloris, of 40 years, daughters, Elizabeth (Phil) Spiegl, Jr. of Fallbrook, CA, Marlene McKeil of Happy Valley, CA, Jennie McKeil of Ontario, CA, Crystal (Rich) Foster of Spreckels, CA, Rocky Lipham of Ault, Colorado, his step-daughter Marty (Bob) Bennett of Lerna, IL, 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren, half-sister, Susie Strong Brubakken , of Britton, SD and sister in-law Karen Brubakken Strong.

The family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to the Prescott VA Medical Center Staff for listening to his kidding around, letting him enjoy his cookies and candy and mostly the wonderful care given to our loving husband, father and grandfather.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Prescott VA Medical Center, AZ.