LEXINGTON, Ky. — Debbie Stephens was standing in a hotel lobby in Atlanta during the Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament last month when a couple from Arkansas stopped by and asked her about the older man standing a few feet away with the Kentucky outfit and the great big smile.

When Stephens told them the man holding court with about a dozen Wildcat fans was Kentucky equipment manager Bill Keightley, the couple started laughing.

"They thought he was the governor," Stephens said. "I told them, 'He could have been if he wanted to be.'"

Stephens smiled as she told the story. How could she not? The story was typical Keightley, who spent nearly 50 years on the sidelines watching his beloved Wildcats through good times and bad before passing away on Monday from internal bleeding caused by a previously undiagnosed tumor in Cincinnati at age 81.

"He was just the nicest man," said Charles Wafford, who befriended Keightley over the years. "When I'd camp out for Big Blue Madness, he was an early riser, and he'd come out and offer us coffee. That's just the way he was."

Hundreds of Kentucky fans paid their final respects to the man dubbed "Mr. Wildcat" during a public viewing in the lobby at Rupp Arena during a rainy Thursday afternoon.

A large picture of Keightley hung next to his coffin while a member of the U.S. Marines stood guard and a nearby television screen displayed snapshots from Keightley's nearly five decades with the team. He joined the program in 1962, eventually working his way up to equipment manager and became a fixture on the team while working for six coaches and watching the Wildcats win two of their seven NCAA titles.

Yet even as his celebrity and his legend grew, Keightley remained true to his humble roots. A veteran of World War II and a former U.S. Postal Service carrier, Keightley would still push the laundry cart out during basketball practice, and he embraced his unique place in the history of college basketball's all-time winningest program.

"He always made time for people," Stephens said. "He was always friendly, always ready with a joke or a story. He'd put his arm around you, and you'd think everything was going to be all right."

A public memorial service was planned for later Thursday evening. Former Kentucky coaches Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith and Joe B. Hall were among those scheduled to talk about Keightley's life and legacy.

Former players, managers and students were among those who stopped by to say goodbye to one of only two non-players or coaches to have their jersey retired at Kentucky. But Keightley's true appeal was with people like Wafford and Stephens, who wore a bright Kentucky-blue blazer with a pin honoring Keightley's life on her lapel, blue earrings and a blue cell phone to the viewing.

"He was just one of those people, you thought he'd be there forever," she said. "He was true blue."

Stephens said the loss won't truly be felt until October when the Wildcats gather at Rupp Arena for Big Blue Madness, the season's first basketball practice. Keightley became an integral part of the spectacle over the years. One season he jumped out of a large blue-and-white cake at center court while fans roared.

"It'd be nice if they just left his seat empty," Stephens said. "I don't think there should be anybody that ever sits in that seat. That seat will always be his."