Obituary

Raymond “Ray” Keener III passed away on June 27, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born to Raymond Keener Jr. and Mary Agnes (Dennie) Keener on June 27, 1956, in Charleston, West Virginia.

One of six children, Ray attended St. Anthony’s and Charleston Catholic High School. He attended West Virginia University and earned his BSBA in Accounting in 1979. After completing his undergraduate degree, Ray remained at WVU and graduated in 1982 from WVU College of Law, where he developed lifelong friendships with his classmates.

Upon graduation, Ray spent the early years of his career at the West Virginia State Tax Department and the Public Service Commission, later obtaining his CPA license.

Ray went back to school and received his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University College of Law in 1990. After graduating, Ray returned to Charleston, working in private law practice at King Betts & Allen and Billheimer & Keener until 1998 when he began his own practice which continued until his passing. He had a longstanding interest in politics and began his political career by serving as the Finance Committee Counsel for the West Virginia Senate. In 2000, Ray was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates and served for two years.

Following his time in the legislature, Ray continued his law career and assisted in public service. He worked as a Contract Hearing Examiner for several West Virginia agencies including the Workers Compensation Division, State Tax Department, Consolidated Public Retirement Board, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Ray also served Kanawha County as the Fiduciary Supervisor/Assistant County Attorney, Legal Counsel for the Emergency Ambulance Authority, and Mental Hygiene Commissioner.

Ray began teaching as a Legal Environment professor at Marshall University in 2007. His career in education spanned nearly two decades, during which he taught various legal courses. He enjoyed educating his students and collaborating with his research partners.

Ray was incredibly passionate about sports. He loved watching his favorite teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Celtics, and of course, the West Virginia University Mountaineers. Ray and his friends attended many WVU milestone events, most notably the Final Four in 2010. He enjoyed taking his family on vacation to watch the bowl games and instilled a love for the Mountaineers in his daughters. Ray was fortunate to experience one last heartbreak from WVU sports by spending his final days watching the Men’s College World Series with his family, celebrating a historic season. If Ray wasn’t watching sports, he could often be found reading a novel, enjoying First Watch or the Grill, or meeting up with friends.

Above all else, Ray’s greatest accomplishment was his daughters and being a father. Ray loved spending time with his daughters, cheering them on in sports, supporting them in academics, and celebrating their accomplishments. His love and pride for his children were the greatest part of who he was, and the memories they shared will be remembered forever.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Keener Jr., and siblings, Cindy Keener Luzier and Mark Keener. He is survived by his former wife, who remained an important part of his life, Susan Thompson Keener; their two daughters, Peyton and Jordan; siblings, Tim Keener, John Keener, and Kathy Keener Lazenby; mother, Mary Agnes Keener; cousin, Charles Dennie; and dear friends and family.

Funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on July 11, 2026, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia St. E., Charleston, West Virginia. The burial will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park in St. Albans, West Virginia.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on July 10, 2026, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ray’s memory to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier St., Charleston, WV 25311.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted to serve the Keener family.