Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Keyes studied as a doctor and lawyer, receiving several degrees. In 1921, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons awarded him a Doctor of Dental Surgery, followed by a Doctor of Medicine degree from Wayne State University in 1930.
In 1932, he founded the Keyes Diagnostic Clinic in Dearborn. In 1935, Keyes earned a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. Before serving as Lieutenant Governor, Keyes was a County Supervisor and City Councilman in his home city.
He was affiliated with the Republican Party.
Keyes served as Lieutenant Governor under two governors, Harry Kelly from 1943-1945 and Kim Sigler from 1947-1949, both of whom were also Republicans. In 1965, two years after Keyes death, the clinic he founded was demolished to make way for parking lots.
