James Austin Keatley, 98, of Indian Mills, West Virginia, died Saturday, March 12, after a short illness.

He was born September 6, 1923 in Eccles, West Virginia, the son of the late Thomas Wilson and Anna Mae Raines Keatley.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Alma Frances Eugene Fox Keatley.

Mr. Keatley retired from Celanese Corporation in Narrows, Virginia, in 1987 after 45 years of service.  He loved the Lord and was a lifelong member of the Indian Mills Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and deacon, and taught the adult Sunday school class for over 60 years.  He was a World War II veteran having served with the U.S. Army for three years.

He is survived by four sons:  James W. (Evelyn) and Danny, both of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia; Gary (Nancy) of Hinton, West Virginia; and David (Terri) of Forest Hill, West Virginia; and five daughters:  Melva (Bill) Wheeler of Ballard, West Virginia; Marjorie (John Northeimer) of Charleston, West Virginia; Ruth (Bill) Williams of Clarksville, Maryland; Sarah of Galax, Virginia; and Elizabeth of N. Wilkesboro, North Carolina; ten grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.  In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Rachel; a grandson, Evan Williams; and one sister, Christine Thompson.

The family will receive visitors from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Thursday, March 17, at Pivont Funeral Home in Hinton, West Virginia.   A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 18, at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Howdock officiating.  Interment will follow at Indian Mills Cemetery.  Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Union Mission, P.O.Box 112, Charleston, West Virginia 25321.  The family would like to thank the doctors and nursing staff on the 3 ^rd Floor West of Princeton Community Hospital for their care and support.