Bill Keedy (1945–2015)

Newport (Jackson County) native Bill Keedy was one of the most successful high school football coaches in Arkansas history. During his almost thirty-year career as a head coach, he compiled a record of 199 wins, fifty-five losses, and four ties, including two state championships. Keedy received many awards for his coaching accomplishments, including induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.

William Henry (Bill) Keedy Jr. was born in Newport on June 30, 1945, to William Henry Keedy Sr. and Faye Ernestine Hinson Keedy. He had two sisters.

Attending Newport public schools, he was attracted to an athletic career early in his life. He participated in track, baseball, basketball, and football. During his senior year at Newport, he was named All District and All State in football. He was also the quarterback for the Arkansas East All-Star team his senior year. Keedy was also the editor of his high school newspaper and a member of the student council, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and Quill and Scroll.

After graduation in 1963, Keedy attended Arkansas State College, now Arkansas State University (ASU) in Jonesboro (Craighead County). He received a football scholarship offer, but a knee injury received in the Arkansas All Star game forced him to end his career after his freshman year. He received a BS in physical education with a minor in journalism in 1969. Keedy later received a master’s in education from ASU. Keedy married Jennifer Ware in 1969. They had a son and a daughter.

After graduation, Keedy spent one semester teaching and coaching in Portageville, Missouri. In fall 1969, he accepted a position as the junior high football coach in Paragould (Greene County). In 1973, he was promoted as coach of the high school team. During his two years as head high school coach, his teams were 20–2, winning two conference championships and advancing to the state playoffs each year. After the 1976 season, he took the head coaching position at Sylvan Hills High School in Pulaski County. After a single season of 4–5–1, one of only two losing seasons in his career, he returned home to Newport.

During his twenty years at Newport, Keedy compiled an impressive record, winning seventeen conference championships and reaching the state playoffs nineteen times. He led teams to the state championship game four times, winning the title in 1981 and 1991. He compiled a record at Newport of 175–48–3 and was selected as the conference coach of the year seventeen times. Keedy became known as “Mr. Greyhound.”

Keedy suffered the first of several heart attacks in 1993. He retired in 1995, just one victory short of 200, due to these health issues. He had compiled a career coaching record of 199–55–4.

Keedy was the recipient of many awards during his coaching career. He was named Man of the Year by the Newport Daily Independent in 1989 and 1991, was the KWCK Radio Dream Team Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1991, was the first recipient of the Jonesboro Sun Best Under the Sun Coach of the Year in 1991, and was the Lowell Manning Award Arkansas High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year for 1995–1996. In 1994, Newport Public Schools named their new athletic facility in his honor. He was inducted into the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2007, he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni at ASU.

Keedy was a longtime supporter of ASU football and, in 2000, accepted the position of color analyst for ASU football radio broadcasts. His football knowledge and outgoing personality made him a favorite with ASU supporters. He held that position until his death.

Keedy experienced additional heart problems in early 2015 and underwent heart surgery. A short time later, he reentered the hospital experiencing additional health issues. He died in Little Rock (Pulaski County) on September 26, 2015. His body was cremated.

For additional information:
Muck, Jeremy. “Keedy Had Dream Job at Newport.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, February 2, 2014, pp. 1C, 3C. Online at https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2012/feb/02/keedy-had-dream-job-newport-20120202/ (accessed May 8, 2024).

———. “Keedy, ‘Mr. Greyhound,’ Dies at 70.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, September 27, 2015, p. 7C. Online at https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/sep/27/keedy-mr-greyhound-dies-at-70-20150927/ (accessed May 8, 2024).

Obituary of William “Bill” Keedy. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, September 29, 2015, p. 5B. Online at https://www.arkansasonline.com/obituaries/2015/sep/29/william-keedy-2015-09-29/ (accessed May 8, 2024).

Mike Polston
CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas