Neill was the son of the late Marvin E. and Alice Lawrence Key. He graduated from Ellerbe High School in Richmond County and Elon College. He worked at Western Electric in Burlington and Richmond, Va. for 36 years. He served as a Deacon and Church Treasurer at Hayfields Presbyterian Church and as an Elder, Sunday School teacher, and church treasurer at Beulah Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, Va. Neill served in the U. S. Navy during W.W.II and the Korean Conflict, flying on PB4Y-1s as a radio operator and a gunner.
Following his retirement from Western Electric, Neill returned to Graham where he spent many hours volunteering with the Telephone Pioneers of America. He and his fellow volunteers built 250 wheelchair ramps in Alamance and Caswell Counties. He also volunteered with Camp Carefree and Haw River Elementary School. In 1990, Neill was honored by WFMY-TV for his community service.
Neill is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ellilu Whitley Key; his son Lawrence E. Key and wife Daphne; his daughter Jenny K. Faulkner and husband Randy; grandchildren Jane K. Matthews and husband Rick and Blair Faulkner. Other survivors include his sister Norma K. Lee and husband Hugh; his brother Earl W. Key and wife Lydia; his sister-in-law Anne P. Key. He was preceded in death by his sister Barbara K. Farquhar and brother M. E. Key, Jr.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell and in-home caregivers Margaret Jenkins and Tina Lloyd.
Memorials may be made to the Neill L. Key Scholarship at Elon University, Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, Graham Presbyterian Church, or Camp Carefree in Summerfield.
Rich & Thompson Funeral Home and Crematory in Graham is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be offered to www.richandthompson.com.
Paid Obituary
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