Carroll Russell Keller, 91 years old, died October 23, 2018, at home. He was the widower of Janis Adams Keller, who died July 26, 2003. They were happily married for 54 years, and loved each other dearly.
Born in Pensacola, FL, he was the second of 4 sons born to Gordon Henry Keller and Lucille Sellers Keller. Carroll was predeceased by two brothers, Gordon and Frank, and two sister in laws, Peggy and Barbara, in addition to his beloved wife Janis. Carroll is survived by his youngest brother, Walter, sister in law Elsie, daughter Carol Ann, and son Russell (Rusty). Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, oldest to youngest, Mike Rivera, Gabriel Rivera, Leigh Ann Wilson, Stephen Whatley, Andrew Whatley, John Keller, Julianne Keller, Daniel Whatley, David Whatley, and Lauren Whatley, plus five great-grandchildren, Judah Wilson, Cami Whatley, Gigi Wilson, Lily Whatley, and Alan Whatley.
Carroll R. Keller graduated from West End High School in Birmingham in 1945. He served in the United States Navy for thirteen months,and in 1946, he was honorably discharged. In 1950, he earned a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University, then called Alabama Polytechnic Institute. While at Auburn, Carroll was president of his class, he was an All American in wrestling, and won several scholastic and wrestling awards. He was a member of National Honor Fraternity Blue Key, he was selected to appear in the 1949-1950 edition of "Who's Who", and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He met and married Janis Ann Adams while attending Auburn, then took post graduate courses at Harvard School of Business.
Carroll Keller worked at Westinghouse for almost 30 years as an electrical engineer. He also had many other jobs and pursuits, during and after Westinghouse. He made sailboats, motor and fishing boats and swimming pools out of fiberglass. He had a business called Holiday Industries that made Christmas decorations. His favorite occupation was that of construction. He built dozens of very beautiful homes in the mountains of North Carolina, it didn't matter how steep the mountain side! He refurbished apartments, built shopping strip malls, and converted an old Shriner's Children's hospital into a variable care retirement facility in South Carolina, named Greenville Care.
Carroll and Janis Keller were good parents and were beloved by many. They were known for their generosity and kindnesses, to and for family, friends and many others in need.
A memorial service will be held at 1 PM, November 17, 2018 at Rosehill Baptist Church, 1670 Alton Road, in Birmingham Alabama. Service will be followed by a "Memorial Festive Feast" of Carroll and Janis Keller's favorite foods and music!
