Deborah Lee Keller

Deborah Lee “Bingham” Keller, 74, of Temple, Texas passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at her home residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 15, 1949, in San Angelo, Texas to William Morris Bingham and Darles Frank Henderson.

Deborah graduated from Central San Angelo High School, and then furthered her education in college, after graduating she received a Nursing Degree in 1977 and worked in Denison as an ER nurse. She then moved to San Angelo and worked at Shannon Memorial Hospital in the ER, Heart Surgery and OR nurse and worked part-time at St Johns Hospital in the ER. She moved to Temple in October 2000, worked at Kings Daughters Hospital as an OR nurse, and then transferred to Scott & White; in the Endoscopy Department. She retired in 2018 after a 40-year career at Kings Daughters, she would ease young patient’s anxiety by holding a parade to the OR using a wagon and stuffed animals. She worked hard for her patients and cared deeply for them. She was respected by the doctors and her peers. She married Albert Clifford Kirking in 1968, and had a son, Bryan. She met Bill Keller in 1989, and they were married in January 1993.

Deborah enjoyed travel, especially riverboat cruises. She loved her dogs and Deborah was a purple person! She enjoyed browsing antique shops. She played guitar, had a green thumb, and enjoyed bicycling after Bill came along. She even did a 100 mile ride at Wichita Falls Hotter than Hell ride with Bill. She loved yard work and insisted on using the lawn mower. She really enjoyed home tours in Georgetown, Galveston, Waxahachie, and Salado. When moving to Temple, she found her dream fixer-upper and continually worked on improving her home. Deborah always had a soft spot in her heart for folks on their own during the holidays. She also volunteered at Feed My Sheep and worked with the Social Outreach Ministry at St Mary’s Church. She was an active member of St Mary’s Church, singing in the choir, and serving as an usher and Eucharistic minister. She lived her faith, using her life as a reflection of the Gospel. Deborah especially loved her son and daughter-in-law, her grandsons and great-granddaughter. She was tough when she had to be, but always very loving and fair.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William Bingham and Darles Henderson; brother, William Bingham Jr.; as well as two sisters, Betty Pohl and June Cates.

She is survived by her loving husband, William Joseph Keller; Son, Bryan Kirking; Daughter-in-law, Melisa Kirking; two grandsons, Max Kirking and Lucas Kirking; Great-Granddaughter, Madison Kirking; as well as two sisters, Sammie McDonald and Barbara Curry.

A Viewing will be held at Young’s Daughters Funeral Home on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will then be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. to be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Temple, Texas with Father William Rooney and Father Ranjan Cletus officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Young’s Daughters Funeral Home & Bereavement Center.