William J. Keenan, 66, owner of a popular Roxborough inn

THERE MAY BE NO more telling example of what kind of a man Bill Keenan was than the way he treated the disabled people who attended an annual Catholic retreat in Malvern.

"Bill was one or the most unselfish people I've encountered," said Ed Seiders, head of Our Lady of Confidence Catholic Retreat at the Malvern Retreat House.

"He was always toward the back of the line, making sure the stragglers to the dining hall felt as appreciated as the ones who were first in line."

If someone in a wheelchair needed a push, Bill would be there. He gave up his seat in chapel to anyone who might have come in late. At meals, he went around to the tables to make sure all the people got what they needed.

He ate with the kitchen staff, then "he'd be right back out to start clearing the tables and helping the retreatants to the next activities," Seiders said.

Such acts of kindness and generosity were the hallmarks of the life of William J. Keenan, a popular Roxborough restaurateur whose charitable contributions and community activities were legendary. He died Tuesday of cancer at the age of 66.

His restaurant, Keenan's Valley View Inn, on Domino Lane, was a Roxborough landmark for 30 years before it closed in June 2012. It was the scene of numerous sports functions, as well as serving as the community's preferred site for weddings, reunions, private parties, life celebrations and political gatherings.

Numerous sports and political figures attended the functions, along with entertainment personalities who helped raise funds for Bill's many charitable endeavors.

"He was the most generous, loving man you could imagine," said his daughter, Kelly. "He was very faithful, very charitable. He believed in giving back to people.

"Roxborough was important to him. He loved his customers. They celebrated important parts of their lives at the inn. He always wanted to make the events special to them."

One of Bill's close friends was William "Speedy" Morris, legendary local basketball coach who led La Salle University teams to numerous championships and is now head basketball coach at St. Joseph's Preparatory School.

"He was a great guy," Morris said. "He would do anything for anybody. He was loyal to his friends. He loved people."

Morris met Bill when Speedy was coaching Roman Catholic High School's basketball team early in his career. Bill was a proud graduate of Roman (1967), and raised thousands of dollars for the school over the years.

When the Valley View Inn closed, Bill tried to find other venues for the people who held regular get-togethers at the inn. "He worried about everybody," Morris said. "He helped many people do good things."

The Rev. John Flanagan, former president and rector of Roman Catholic High School, said: "Bill was all Catholic. He cared about kids, he cared about people. He was one of these guys who are always there, always available."

Flanagan, now pastor of St. Madeline Church in Ridley Park, said Bill was "the most liked and most generous business owner I ever knew."

Among sports events at the inn was the annual Markward basketball luncheons, which drew speakers from the local basketball world, including Speedy Morris, John Chaney, of Temple University fame; Fran Dunphy, who succeeded Chaney at Temple; and Jay Wright, Villanova University's basketball coach.

Entertainers who helped Bill raise money for charity included Bobby Rydell, Cozy Morley and comedian Chris Morris.

Bill Keenan was born to James and Mae Keenan and raised in Roxborough. He attended St. John the Baptist Parochial School and then Roman Catholic. After graduating, he attended the Computer Educational Institute in Philadelphia.

He entered the Army and served two years, mostly in Frankfurt, Germany.

After his discharge, he took a job as bartender at the Domino Lounge in the Ivy Ridge Shopping Center. He then went on to serve as the manager of the Depot Restaurant on Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill.

That was where he met MaryBeth Collins. They were married on Nov. 24, 1978.

He and MaryBeth opened the Publick House Restaurant of Market Square in Andorra. In 1981, they opened Keenan's Valley View Inn.

The business began with a banquet facility and swim club before expanding to include a restaurant and bar.

After it closed, the inn was taken over by the Greenwood Charter School.

Bill and his wife had a vacation home in Brigantine, N.J., where he liked to chill out and try the restaurants in Atlantic City.

"Brigantine was his salvation," his daughter said.

Bill received numerous honors for his charitable work. When Roman Catholic High celebrated its 125th anniversary, 125 distinguished graduates were invited to the ceremony. Bill was among them.

In 1996, he was presented with the Extraordinary Loyalty and Dedication Award from Roman Catholic. In 2013, he received the school's Thomas E. Cahill Award.

Bill was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Plymouth Meeting, where he attended daily Mass.

He was a longtime member of the Roxborough Lions Club and was one of the original members of the Northwest Veterans Association.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by another daughter, Colleen; a son, William; and a brother, Walter Keenan.

Services: Noon Monday at Epiphany of Our Lord Church, 3050 Walton Road, Plymouth Meeting. Friends may call at 3 p.m. Sunday and 9:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Friends of St. John the Baptist Church, 146 Rector St., Philadelphia 19127, or Roman Catholic Alumni, 301 N. Broad St., Philadelphia 19107.