Clarence Paul Keener

Clarence Paul Keener, 86, of Pottsville went to be with our Lord on Saturday, June 6, 2009. The third son of Lewis A. and Esther Lou Travis Keener, he was born Oct. 20, 1922, in Bells Chapel, Ark. He was a retired Tech Sergeant from the United States Air Force, where he honorably and proudly served his country for just over 20 years. His career in the service took him many places including Florida, California, Japan, Puerto Rico and North Dakota but his heart was always in Bells Chapel. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1967, he moved back home to be near his family and the area he loved so much. He was an avid fisherman and collector. He spent many of his retirement years fishing at Lake Atkins and attending auctions and flea markets buying and selling antique tools and brass. One of his other great pastimes was “making his rounds” to visit all his friends—an activity he missed greatly in his last years. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret Louise Gardner Keener; one sister, Vivian Edna Keener Teeter; and three brothers, Elbert Keener, Iverson Keener, and Joseph “Joe” Keener. He is survived by his daughter, Katherine Joan Keener-Crowder and son-in-law, Cliff Crowder of Sherwood, Arkansas as well as many treasured nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lemley Funeral Service 1401 North Church Street in Atkins, AR. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 10 at Bells Chapel Cemetery in Atkins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Clarence Keener Scholarship Fund, c/o Bank of Little Rock, 200 North State Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203. The funds will be used to supplement scholarships to fish and wildlife students at Arkansas Tech University funded by the Arkansas Bass Association.