Otto Hampton Keesling

Otto Hampton Keesling, Jr., 87, of Salem, Va., passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

He was born on October 7, 1936, in Logan, W.Va., to the late Otto Hampton Keesling, Sr. and Ida Marie (Ballard) Keesling.

Mr. Keesling graduated from Jefferson High School in Roanoke and honorably served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959. Following his military discharge, he worked for over 40 years for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller, facility evaluator, and military liaison officer at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C. As a licensed pilot and aviation enthusiast, his great passion was taking to the skies, and he logged thousands of hours of flight time both for pleasure and work. Following his retirement, he and his wife returned to the Roanoke area in 2016 where he actively supported Wheatland Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Helen Sue (Sisson) Keesling; sons, John (Carol), Charles (Kim), and James; grandchildren, James, Molly, Kyle, Madison, and Conner; great-grandchildren, James and Olivia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Wheatland Lutheran Church (1560 Wheatland Road, Buchanan, Va. 24066) with his good friend, Pastor Chuck Miller, officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church. A reception at the church will follow the service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.