William Earl "Tink" Keese, Jr., 81, of Mechanicsville, MD died April 24, 2009 at CIVISTA in LaPlata, MD. Born November 22, 1927 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of William Earl Keese, Sr. and Anna Virginia Gould.

Mr. Keese was an elevator constructor for Union Local 10 of the International Union Elevator Constructors (IUEC). He retired in 1991 and liked to come down to the Turner Farm on weekends, where he met his wife of 53 years, Mildred Anita Turner Keese, to be with family and work on the farm. He finally moved to the Turner Farm in 1997.

Mr. Keese loved to tinker with things, and for that reason he lovingly became known as "Tink". He enjoyed bowling for a number of years and also old country music.

Besides his wife, Mr. Keese is survived by his son, William Earl Keese, III and wife,
Pamela Ann; grandson, Joseph William Keese; godchild, Cindy Apperson; nieces, Barbara Essig and Nancy Burton; and many other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, Mr. Keese was predeceased by his brothers, George Keese and Patrick Keese and a sister, Margaret Roberts.

The family will receive friends and relatives for "Tink's" Life Celebration on Monday, April 27, 2009 from 2:00-4:00p.m. and 6:00-8:00p.m. at the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD where a prayer service will be held at 7:00p.m. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 11:00a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 9560 Trinity Church Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD, 20622. The Rev. Meredith Syler will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Donnie Apperson, Pat Turner, Sammy Swann, Butch Essig, Paul Branan, and Frankie Swann. Honorary pallbearer will be Joseph W. Keese

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Charles County, P.O. Box 1703, LaPlata, MD 20646.