Video: Remembering Bill Keightley

Leave your condolences, share what you think Mr. Wildcat's legacy will be

Cincinnati, Oh (WHAS11, The Courier Journal, UK Athletics) – WHAS11 has learned that the University of Kentucky equipment manager Bill Keightley has passed away at 81.

Affectionately known as Mr. Wildcat, Bill Keightley was a part of Kentucky Basketball since 1962 when Adolph Rupp was coach.

Keightley has served under five UK head coaches:  Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Orlando “Tubby” Smith and Billy Gillispie.

His tenure as the Wildcat equipment manager had lasted over 45 years.

Keightley was also a WWII U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

--------Associated Press coverage--------

Longtime Kentucky equipment manager dead at 81

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky basketball manager Bill Keightley, who was with the Wildcats for 48 seasons, died Monday in Cincinnati. He was 81.

Keightley died of internal bleeding caused by a previously undiagnosed tumor on his spine, the university said in a statement. He was on a trip to see the Reds’ season-opener and suffered a fall, Kentucky spokesman Scott Stricklin told The Associated Press. He was taken to University Hospital, where he died of internal bleeding at 7:45 p.m. EDT.

Stricklin said doctors believe the fall was probably due to bleeding.

Keightley’s tenure reached back to the Adolph Rupp era and continued through Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith and current Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie.

“For many Kentuckians, and, indeed, for much of the country, Bill Keightley was not only the face of UK Wildcat basketball, but the University of Kentucky itself,” university President Lee Todd said in a statement. “An entire state tonight—from Paducah to Pikeville—is mourning his passing and, I’m sure, remembering his family in prayer along with Patsy and me. It’s my belief that in heaven he’s already helping organize a game or two and telling stories of Wildcat lore to anyone who will listen.”

Keightley was with the team in Anaheim, Calif., when the Wildcats lost to Marquette March 20 in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Stricklin said.

“He’d been feeling great,” Stricklin said. He said Keightley was up at 6 a.m. Every day and he had seen him within the last week, “pushing his cart of laundry up the hallway,” a task he would never accept help with, Stricklin said.

“In my 40 years at Kentucky, i’ve come to hate three things: smelly socks, dirty uniforms and the Louisville Cardinals,” Keightley said as Kentucky began practice for the 2000-2001 season.

Two years later, as Kentucky was celebrating the basketball program’s 100 ^th season, Keightley popped out of a cake at center court as a capacity crowd for Midnight Madness sang “Happy Birthday.”

“I’m shook up,” Hall said in the school’s statement. “We had dinner together Friday night and he was in great spirits. It’s hard to believe. He was a good friend to all of us. He was so close to all the coaches, players, managers and everyone who was associated with Kentucky basketball. It’s a total shock.”

Keightley was with his family and members of the Kentucky coaching staff at the hospital when he died, the university said.

“I commented earlier today that at the age of 81, he’s become one of my very best friends,” Gillispie said in the statement, “and the person I was talking to said ‘that’s what makes him so great, because everyone feels he’s their best friend.”’

Kentucky honored Keightley in 1997 with a retired jersey in his honor, one of only two people who did not play or coach. The other was broadcaster Cawood Ledford. Keightley was inducted into the charter class of the university’s Hall of Fame in 2005, the school said.

“He was one of those individuals who make everyone around them feel special,” Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “His love of Kentucky was evident in everything he did. He was a friend to all who loved the Wildcats, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to call him my friend.”

Keightley began his career as an assistant to the equipment manager in 1961-62. He took over as head manager in 1972.

He graduated from Kavanaugh High School in Lawrenceburg and was a retired U.S. Postal Service carrier and World War II Marine Corps veteran.

Keightley is survived by his wife, Hazel, and daughter, Karen.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

I never met Bill but I always looked forward to seeing him with the Cats. His legacy was simple: He was a man who was devoted to his "boys" win or lose.. He never waivered and more importantly he enjoyed his life and touched many people.

There will never be another one like you, Mr.Wildcat, rest in peace and God Bless

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all the other Big Blue fans who will always remember him on the bench supporting the team, no matter how they did on the court.
He will be remembered in our hearts along with Caywood...they are the symbols for what the University of Kentucky is all about.

Mr Wildcat will be missed deeply at U of K. Kentucky basketball will not be the same without him sitting on the bench.. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and all wildcat fans. Go Big Blue Mr. Wildcat.

This is a surreal moment for me, you see my Sister is a die hard UofL fan and went to Charollette last weekend for the Louisville games. While there she saw Mr. Keightly and had a photo taken of the two because she knew that I being of the Big Blue Nation would appreciate it. She e-mailed it to me yesterday and she was right, I did appreciate it, a woman dressed in red and black, Mr. Bills arm around her both smiling as if it were a family picture...when I heard of his passing last night like most I was shocked and saddened...that photo is my desktop background today...my condolences to the Keightly family during this difficult time. So sad will be the opening of the 2008-2009 basketball season without Mr. Wildcat on the sideline...leave seat # 1 empty in honor.

My heart weighs heavy today. I want to send my thoughts and prayers to Bill's family, friends and all who have come into contact with him. It will be hard to see a game and know he is not sitting by the bench. God Speed Mr. Wildcat. I feel like Heaven is already turning BLUE!!!

Mr. Keightley was what Kentucky basketball is all about. True Blue all the way through. It won't be the same without him on the end of the bench. He was a true gentleman and friend to all that knew him. RIP Bill. You will be missed.
Go Big Blue!

Irreplaceable and never forgotten. He will always be a positive influence, not only for UK, but for the state and nation as well.
My condolences to his family and friends.
And Semper Fi from a fellow(former)Marine.
'Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni'
('Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever')

it is hard to beleive that Mr. Keightley is gone, but his legacy isnt. he will be remember as a true wildcat fan. he stuck with the university through the good and bad. he will be truly missed, he has brought great honor and pride to wildcat basketball. i give my condolences to family and friends. god bless

I am a lifelong Ky fan and don't remember a time when Mr.Keightly was not on the bench. I got to meet him briefly at the women's football clinic. He was such a warm and welcoming person. He made you feel like you were the only one around. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by thousands of people. My sympathy to all the family and friends.

I would like to start by leaving my condolences to the family and the wildcat family for our loss. Mr. Keightley is the true definition of what it means to be a Kentucky Wildcat. He represented the Wildcats with great honor and pride. He will truly be missed and his honor needs to be kept alive by leaving his seat open at every UofK basketball game because without his presence it will never be the same.

While I was a student at UK, I frequently saw Mr. Wildcat. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. He will be greatly missed.

My heart and prayers go out to Mr. Keightley's family. Mr Keightley exemplified the true meaning of Kentucky Basketball. He was committed, loyal and a father figure to the players, coaches and the entire Big Blue family. He will be sadly missed. We love you Mr Keightley!

I am so sad, I feel like a family member has
passed away. I was born and raised in Florida
and became a Wildcat fan listening to Cawood
Ledford with my father,a Ky. native who went
to Florida to coach. Since 1965 Mr. Keightley
was a part of my family. I love the Wildcats
and for a Florid State University grad, I will
miss him and he will always be Mr. Kentucky
to me. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.

The Keightley Family:
Your family and the University of Kentucky will be in our prayers. Mr. Bill gave his life to Kentucky Basketball and the University of Kentucky. It seems unbelievable he will not be with us the next season. He will be missed and he left a legacy of what a true Kentucky Wildcat Fan meant, whether win or loose the love of the game was most improtant.
Big Blue Family

Not a Kentucky fan,U of L), but this man was family to Kentucky. His legacy is loyalty. Who could ever EVER criticize loyalty expressed daily for decades. Great man, I mourn with you this great loss.

i will really miss him. What a gentleman.

I think he will be greatly missed.

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