William Kea Sr., a retired executive for Hawaiian Telephone Co. and GTE Hawaiian Tel who served many charitable organizations, died Nov. 6 in his Honolulu home. He was 96. WILLIAM KEA SR. / 1906-2002
Hawaiian Telephone executive
helped guide local hospitals
See also: Obituaries
By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.comKea, known by friends and loved ones as "Uncle Bill," started his 45-year career at the telephone company as a part-time switchman and progressed to vice president of public relations until he retired in 1971.
He was born on April 22, 1906, in Honolulu. He graduated from the Kamehameha Schools for Boys as the class salutatorian in 1927. At the school's 100th anniversary held in 1987, Kea was named the outstanding alumnus of the year.
Warren Haruki, president of the company now known as Verizon Hawaii, said in a statement: "In our industry, there is a pride in being a 'telephony person.' And Bill Kea was certainly that."
Haruki noted Kea's contributions to the early development of the telephone company where he worked as a technician and sales manager. In 1965 he became the head of public affairs.
"At that time, the public relations profession itself was in developmental stages, but Bill was a leader in creating programs of community outreach that are still in practice today," Haruki said.
Kea served as a trustee for Queen's Medical Center for 40 years; he also was chairman of the committees on Public Relations, Hawaiian Health and Comprehensive Home Care.
Kea also served as a member of many board, which include Kawaiaha'o Church, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children and Central YMCA. He also served as chairman of the March of Dimes, Chapter of the Pacific, and the Hawaiian Homes Commission.
Kea is survived by wife Irene, sons William Jr. and B.J., daughter Kehaulani Kea, sister Alice Kea, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, stepchildren Gayle Hirahara and Gary Hirata, several step-grandchildren and hanai daughters Sunshine and Ruth Kassebaum.
Visitation is from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Central Union Church. Memorial service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Aloha attire. The family requests no flowers.
