MITCHELL – William Keith Hackney, 72, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Franciscan Health in Greenwood, IN.
Born September 16, 1950, in Paoli, he was the son of Clay and Imelda (Cooney) Hackney. He married Carol D. Hackney on October 6, 1979 and she survives.
Keith was a 1969 graduate of Orleans High School and a member of First Christian Church in Mitchell. Over the years, he and Carol owned and operated two businesses: KC’s Motors to Go in Mount Pleasant, TX, and then Hackney Trucking in Mitchell, IN. In later years, he divided his time between Indiana and Texas. In winters he was employed by Select Stone and Sod Supply in Princeton, TX, and during the summer he was employed by Flynn and Sons Excavating and Paving in Bedford.
Keith was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War where he served as a medic.
Anyone who knew Keith, knew with absolute certainty he was a dedicated family man. He cherished his wife and attended to her every need. In July 1984, he discovered a new meaning to life. From that time forward, he would forever be known as a doting, if not sometimes overly-indulgent, Pawpaw. He adored all of his grandchildren tremendously. His yellow lab, JR, was his constant companion, seldom leaving his side.
On countless occasions, he would drop everything to help a friend or family member in need. If there was something to be fixed, repaired, installed, or otherwise overhauled, he was there to lend a hand, or, at the very least, to explain the best way (aka his way) to get the job done.
Surviving are his wife, Carol D. Hackney of Mitchell; children, Andrea (Bill) Davis of Plano, TX, Dickie Gaines of Mitchell, W.K. Hackney-Goen of Salem, and Todd (Lea) Gaines of Mitchell; sisters, Wilma Jarvis of Salem and Barbara Noel of Salem; sixteen grandchildren and eight (plus one on the way) great-grandchildren, who will remember always how their Pawpaw, the gentle giant, had a way of making each of them feel so very special; and many nieces and nephews, who believed without a doubt, that their Uncle Keith hung the moon.
His parents and brothers, Clifton Hackney, James Hackney, and Ronald Hackney, preceded him in death.
Memorial service will be held 6:00 p.m., Thursday, September 7, at the First Christian Church in Mitchell with Brother Mike Collins officiating.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Memorial Gifts: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
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