VDEM SAR Program Mourns Loss of Longtime Instructor

“Anyone who knew Bill knew that he was a friend’s friend. He was careful, creative, a consummate critical thinker, a willing collaborator and a dedicated public servant. But more importantly, a great friend and mentor,” Black Diamond Search and Rescue Council said in a statement. “Bill will be missed by all who knew him, but his legacy and the memories of him will live on.”

Bill was also active in cave rescues through the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC) and was a member of the Search and Rescue Tracking Institute (SARTI).

“Bill Keith was a great man, dedicated husband, father, and search and rescue professional,“ said VDEM’s Chief of Search and Rescue Programs Bryan Saunders, who also grew up with Bill.

In addition to his volunteer rescue work, Bill was a member of the National Speleological Society (NSS) and introduced many neophyte cavers to the Southwest Virginia underground.

Bill was a longtime employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture of which he recently retired.

He is survived by his wife and two children. A Celebration of Life will be held on March 8.

VDEM’s SAR program manages and deploys a strategic and sustainable organization capable of a quick, competent, and integrated response to lost and missing person incidents. There are 21 volunteer SAR teams, with nearly 600 volunteers, on call 24/7.