Will Seward Keim

Born on April 3, 1954, in Montebello, California, to Bettye Jeane Tobin and Will Seward Keim Jr. and also raised by his stepdad, Jack Wilhelm, Will passed away peacefully on June 1, 2016, after battling melanoma cancer for the last two years. Will was a big man, both in stature and personality and would always do anything for anyone. He was an educator who has spoken to over 3,000 corporate and collegiate campuses to over 3 million people. He spoke in all 50 of the United States and Canada, on values and ethics in every spectrum of life. He was also an intercollegiate campus minister. People all over the country had him officiate their weddings, baptisms and memorial services. Will is survived by his wife, Donna; mother-in-law Mary Basham; four children, Christa, Samantha, JJ and Hannah; two sons-in-law, Brandon and Steve; two grandchildren, Adeline and Harvey; and one grandchild soon to be born. He has friends all over the world that loved Will’s wit, wisdom, and great cooking! His family would like you to tell a favorite story to someone who did not know Will. If you feel a need to give money in memory of Will, Donna has one more year of education for JJ, Hannah’s Make A Wish Foundation for Chi Omega, Will’s Delta’s Upsilon’s Education Foundation, JJ’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon Mario Pastega House in Corvallis, Christa’s Corvallis High School leadership program, and Sami’s Corvallis High School Softball team. The family felt you needed to hear Will’s message that he greatly believed in: “My goal in speaking is to be precise in detail, persuasive in appeal, and passionate in delivery. I know that I am not the message but rather the messenger, in many way, I feel like the Wizard of Oz. That is, I cannot give you something you do not already have. You have a good brain, a caring heart, and ability to do great thing things. What I tried to do today was inspire you. Life is hard and it is ultimately worth living. Don’t give up on yourself or others. If you get knocked down, get up. Let people help you. We are in this together. You have 25,000 days to live out your masterpiece. It is time to get busy.”

Tributes

Will Seward Keim

April 3, 1954 - June 1, 2016