Colonel Willliam Keyes was commissioned as an Infantry Officer through the United States Army Officer Candidate School in 1986 and was assigned with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley KS. In 1989, he was branch transferred to the Quartermaster Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida, a Master of Science from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

Colonel Keyes significant assignments include Commander, Echo (Rigger) Company, 407th  S&T and 782nd MSB Ft Bragg, NC; Exchange/Operations Officer, Australia; Support Operations Officer, 548th CSB and Executive Officer, 710th MSB, Ft Drum, NY; and Joint Logistics Plans Officer and Executive Officer, Director, Logistics, USCENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL.

Colonel Keyes commanded 172nd BSB, SBCT, Ft Wainwright, AK.  He and his command team trained a physically tough and technically competent task force of logistics warriors who participated in CSS operations for 16 months. He then commanded DLA Energy Americas, supporting the NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM AORs and the Unified Response Operation. 

After attending the Army War College, as the PKOSI Logistics SME he materially assisted the U.N. in developing the Peace Operations 2010 capstone logistics manual.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster. He also earned the Combat Action Badge, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Parachute Rigger Badge.