AR State Order · Half-Staff
Flags at Half-Staff for William Paul Billy Keele
August 7, 2026
Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders ordered all flags flown at half-staff to honor U.S. Army Technician Fifth Grade William Paul Billy Keele, a World War II prisoner of war who survived the Bataan Death March but died in a Japanese POW camp in 1942. After 84 years, Keele's remains were recently identified through advanced forensic work and have returned to his home state for burial. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Smith National Cemetery, receiving the recognition and respect owed to his sacrifice and service to our nation.
Flag protocol
Flags shall be flown at half-staff throughout Arkansas on August 5, 2026, in honor of William Paul Billy Keele's military service and sacrifice.
Source: news.google.com