Keister, Phillip Michael
Phillip Michael Keister, age 85, of Blacksburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 9, 2024. Born on March 1, 1939, in Price’s Fork, Virginia, to the late James Jonas and Stella Mae Price Keister, Phillip had a lifelong passion for the history and stories of his hometown. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Phillip was a member of St. Michael Lutheran Church and member of Newport Masonic Lodge 261, where he entered his affiliation as an apprentice from 1973-2014. Phillip was also a member of the Price Family Historical Society and the Brush Mountain Coal Miners Foundation. He was a graduate of Blacksburg High School, attended Virginia Tech and served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64. Known to many as “PK,” he was a dedicated employee of Ferguson Enterprises, formerly Stevens Supply, for 45 years in sales, forging countless relationships throughout Southwestern Virginia.
Phillip’s greatest love was his wife, Dorothy Amos Keister, whom he met while she was cheering for Radford High School Football in 1959. Their love story began with a memorable double date, leading to their marriage just six months later. They recently celebrated 64 years of marriage and together raised three daughters. His appreciation of history, love of animals, curiosity with the wonders of nature, and sense of humor live on through his family.
He is survived by wife Dorothy; daughters Michelle Berg (Mike), Susannah Barney (Dan), and Heather Keister (Niels); brother and sister-in-law, Jonathan and Tracey Keister; grandchildren Elizabeth Berg, Katherine Falloure (Will), William Pettus VI “Bix”, Phillip “Luie” Pettus, and Fraser Stevens; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Judith Leigh Teates and husband, Bennett; and brother Freddy Keister and wife, Shirley.
Visitation will be from 4 -6 p.m. on October 27th, at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, Blacksburg. Masonic Rites will be held at 5:30 by the Newport Lodge.
Memorial Services will be held on October 28th at 3 p.m. in the St. Michael Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phillip’s memory can be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church 2308 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060, or Price Family Historical Society, 200 Cork Dr. Blacksburg, VA.
