On Saturday night, December 11th, 1976 Willard Ernest Keith, Jr. was hanging out with friends at Tiger’s Hideaway, a bar on 6th Ave North. They left around 10:00pm and drove to N. 3rd Street to drop one of the guys off at his sister’s place. While there, Keith’s wallet was stolen out of his hand. They all left and went to get Keith’s gun. When they returned to 563 N. 3rd St. Keith and two of his friends got out of the car and Keith demanded to be taken to the person who took his wallet. At that point, several people returned to the area with guns including the guy that stole Keith’s wallet and several people began shooting. Keith and one of his friends were hit and the car they came in got shot up. The friend survived his wounds, but Keith succumbed to his gunshot wound at the hospital. Willard Ernest Keith, Jr. was 30 years old at the time of his death.
If you have any information regarding the murder of Willard Ernest Keith, Jr., please contact the Cold Case Homicide Unit at MNPDColdCase@nashville.gov
You can also call the Nashville Police Department’s Crime Stoppers Division anonymously at 615-742-7463
We feel it is important to put a face to the name. If you have a photograph you would like to submit to be posted (as an addition or substitution) please email: MNPDColdCase@nashville.gov