Benny Keister

Walter Benjamin Keister Sr. (March 13, 1941 – March 23, 2024) was an American politician who served as the mayor of Dublin, Virginia, from 1989 to 1997 and as a Virginia Delegate from 2000 to 2005.

Early life and career Walter Benjamin Keister Sr. was born on March 13, 1941, in Radford, Virginia, to Mary Bain and Walter H. Keister (1907–1961). He started his career as a science teacher. Keister's political career began when he was elected a member of Dublin City Council in 1986. Keister was elected the mayor of Dublin, Virginia, in 1989 and held office until 1997. Keister later served as a Virginia delegate from 2000 to 2005, representing the 6th and 7th districts as a Democrat. Keister was the last Democrat to win either district, until their locations were changed in the run-up to the 2023 Virginia House of Delegates election.

Personal life and death Keister's son Bo Keister is an actor who had a small role in Remember the Titans.

Keister died in Dublin, Virginia, on March 23, 2024, at age 83.