William Robert Keating

William Robert Keating was born Oct. 16, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio and passed away April 25, 2024, in Honoka’a, Hawaii. He is predeceased by his parents Robert A Keating, MD., and Harriet Steele Keating. He is survived by his sister Karen Keating Moody Bierly, nieces Merry Troper, Molly Moody, Megan Moody Dininger, and nephew Scott Moody. William was a graduate of Worthington HS and Ohio State University, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Billy ran The Jerome Wheelers Public House in Aspen for many years. He loved Aspen and his companion wolf/husky, Tugboat. Billy took up bull riding in local rodeos – never managing a winning eight seconds, but plenty of time in the hospital.

Billy opened a Mexican restaurant, The Cantina, in Santa Rosa for many years. He loved traveling, swimming, wrestling and skiing. Moving on to Maui, he managed the Stella Blues nightclub for many years. In 2016, Billy retired to Molokai. He and best friend Earl walked every morning, ending at the bakery for a donut treat. He was a regular at the gym and pool, committed to keeping fit. A big sports fan, he and buddies watched many hours of sports, especially rodeo bull riding. Billy loved Hawaii and Hawaii loved Billy. His parting words were “Aloha everybody, aloha.”

A celebration of life will be held June, 29, 8 to 9 a.m. at the wharf, followed by a potluck paina at the Home Pumehana conference room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.