Willie Mae is the oldest and only daughter of William Savage 'Bill' and Kathryn Keating. She and her younger brother, Jerry, were born in El Centro, California, where their father was a police officer. When she was a teenager, her family moved to San Diego, California, where she attended public school. World War Ii brought about changes in her family. Her mother joined the work force of women in the war plants. When it was reported that enemy war subs had been sighted off the California coast, many parents sent their children to relatives inland. Willie Mae and her brother spent a summer with an uncle's family in New Mexico. Willie Mae earned a college degree and taught in the public schools. She married and was later divorced. After a time she married Robert Dirk and they moved to the Los Angles area. She and Robert had one child, a son, Robbie. Willie Mae suffered a stroke while playing cards with friends and her heart was never strong again. Her husband wanted to move back to Ohio where he had grown up and they made the move when son, Robbie, was about three years old. On the way, they passed through Santa Fe, New Mexico, and spent a few days with this cousin and her family. Willie Mae's father died of a heart attack in August of 1979 and she returned to San Diego to be with the family for a short time. Three years later, in December of 1982, Willie May and family were preparing for a flight to San Diego to spend the Christmas holidays with her mother and relatives. She had purchased a lovely red dress for the festitives and was packing for the flight when she suffered a fatal stroke. Her mother flew to Ohio and was at her bedside before she died. Willie May was buried in her red Christmas dress.
- Blanche Keating Collie, first cousin

Spouses:
Harry Swift
Robert Dirk

Children:
Robert "Robbie" Dirk