WILLIAM LOVELL KEPLINGER
September 10, 1937 — January 28, 2025
Bill Keplinger died peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 surrounded by his family: wife Jean, daughter Kate and her husband Rob, son Jake and his wife Kellie.
He graduated as valedictorian from Canisteo High School, NY in 1955. During high school, as a violinist, he was concertmaster of his high school orchestra and a member of the NYSSMA all-state symphonic orchestra. In 1959, he graduated from Hobart College with a Bachelor of Arts in English, and received his Master of Arts in Education from the University of Rochester in 1963.
Bill taught English at Fairport High School from 1959-1994 except for two years in admissions at Hobart College, and several years as a guidance counselor in Fairport. He was a teacher until the last moments of his life, correcting the grammar of several of his nurses. He was known for his quick-witted humor that often involved terrible puns. While Jean was a history teacher and Town Historian, Bill was the keeper of the family stories — caretaker of the family’s antiques and their stories.
In retirement he volunteered for Meals and Wheels, and also Reach Out Radio, a WXXI service for the blind for which he recorded readings from the daily paper. Bill organized and ran the Fairport Retired Educators Association (FREA [pronounced “free”]), creating newsletters and gatherings of his fellow retired teachers. He was also a dedicated watcher of Jeopardy! (including the afternoon broadcast) and spent many hours doing crossword puzzles and following friends on Facebook. Bill was also an active member of St. Luke’s Church, Fairport, where he sang in the choir for many years, and was instrumental in the creation and maintenance of the church’s columbarium.
Bill and Jean enjoyed camping for decades, which in later years they turned into a cherished weeklong family time in the Adirondacks. They also enjoyed travels with Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel), attending performances by the RPO (Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra), taking walks, birding, visits with their children and grandchildren, and enjoying their Fairport community and friends. He was proud to have narrated a commemorative adaptation of Jeff Tyzik’s “Pleasant Valley Suite” when it was performed by the RPO in Perinton, NY for the town’s 200th anniversary. Bill tried to have a little chocolate every day, and ice cream (preferably coffee-flavor) whenever he could get it; fruit was not a dessert.
In 2021 they sold their 4th house in Perinton/Fairport and moved to Valley Manor senior apartments on East Avenue in Rochester.
Bill is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Jean; son Jake and wife Kellie; daughter Kate and husband Rob Hanson; grandchildren Mandi, Jacob, Jackson, Mara, and Nate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to any of the following:
Calling Hours Thursday February 6, 2025 4-6PM at the Richard H. Keenan funeral Home (Egypt Location) 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport. Funeral Service Friday February 7, 2025 11AM at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 77 County Corner Lane.
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