| Walter Benjamin Keister Sr. | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait | |
| State Delegate from Virginia's 6th and 7th District | |
| In office 2000–2005 | |
| Succeeded by | Anne B. Crockett-Stark |
| Mayor of Dublin, Virginia | |
| In office 1989–1997 | |
| Member of Dublin City Council | |
| In office 1986–1989 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1941-03-13)March 13, 1941 Radford, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | March 23, 2024(2024-03-23) (aged 83) Dublin, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Children | Bo Keister |
| Parent(s) | Walter H. Keister Mary Bain |
| Residence(s) | Dublin, Virginia |
| Occupation | Politician, schoolteacher |
Walter Benjamin Keister Sr. (March 13, 1941 – March 23, 2024) was an American politician who served as the mayor of Dublin, Virginia, from 1989 to 1997 and as a Virginia Delegate from 2000 to 2005.
Early life and career
Walter Benjamin Keister Sr. was born on March 13, 1941, in Radford, Virginia, to Mary Bain and Walter H. Keister (1907–1961). He started his career as a science teacher. Keister's political career began when he was elected a member of Dublin City Council in 1986. Keister was elected the mayor of Dublin, Virginia, in 1989 and held office until 1997. Keister later served as a Virginia delegate from 2000 to 2005, representing the 6th and 7th districts as a Democrat. Keister was the last Democrat to win either district, until their locations were changed in the run-up to the 2023 Virginia House of Delegates election.
Personal life and death
Keister's son Bo Keister is an actor who had a small role in Remember the Titans.
Keister died in Dublin, Virginia, on March 23, 2024, at age 83.
References
- "Walter Keister Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- "BIRTHDAY OF DUBLIN MAYOR SAME AS RADFORD HOSPITAL'S". scholar.lib.vt.edu. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- "News Journal 22 November 1961". virginiachronicle.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- Dillon, Kaitlyn (March 24, 2024). "WDBJ7 Archive: Remembering former State Delegate and Dublin Mayor Benny Keister". www.wdbj7.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- Williamson, Jeff (June 7, 2021). "Virginia House of Delegates District 7 Democratic Primary results on June 8, 2021". WSLS. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- "Redistricting in Virginia after the 2020 census". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- Jr., Ralph Berrier (October 27, 2008). "Bright lights in Craig". Roanoke Times. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- "Walter Benjamin "Benny" Keister Sr. Obituary (1941–2024)". echovita.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- "Former State Delegate and Mayor of Dublin Benny Keister dies at 83". WFXRtv. March 24, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.