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11/18/09 - NNHS Newsletter - Bill Reece

William Andrew Reece, Jr.
(31 Mar 1926 - 16 Nov 2009)

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,   

   We have yet another sad edition of the NNHS Newsletter today.      Bill Reece, father of    Ruth Ann Reece Horace ('67) of FL, Bill Reece ('68) of ID, and Kathy Reece Burke (Warwick HS - '72) of VA and of the late Garland Reece, Class of 1970 (08 Jan 1952 - 23 Mar 2001), and step-father of Hugh Ryan, Gaylon Ryan, Kathy Ryan Sweeley, Michael Ryan, Carrie Jayne Ryan Powell, John Ryan, and Lori Ann Ryan McKay, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2009 at his home in Hampton at the age of 83.


  From Ruth Ann Reece Horace ('67) of FL - 11/16/09, 8:29 PM - "My Dad":

My wonderful father, William Andrew Reece, Jr., passed away tonight.  He was everything a father should be and showed me the way my Heavenly Father must be.  He sacrificed much for his family and never complained.  All his life he served others and tried to do what was right. I do not believe that in 83 years on this earth he ever made an enemy, except for maybe Georgia Bill, the sailor he took my mom away from.  He is with my mom, Annie Ruth, and my brother, Garland ('70) (08 Jan 1952 - 23 Mar 2001), now and I know it was a joyous reunion. 

The funeral will be on Saturday. Right now that is all I know.  I will be going up tomorrow or Wednesday depending on whether the doctor says my husband Harry can fly or drive.

I would request that you use "Love at Home" for music for a memorial addition to him since it and "Oh, My Father" were his favorite hymns.

Thanks and Love
Ruthie

   Oh, Dear Ruthie, I'm so very sorry to hear your news - not for him, of course, but for you.  Losing a parent is just never easy, no matter how old they - or we - might be.


From http://rememberingpappaw.weebly.com/  - 11/17/09:

 

    
 

 William A. Reece, Jr.

    HAMPTON - William Andrew Reece, Jr., 83, was called home on Monday evening, November 16, 2009 at his residence.

Bill was born in Bristol, Tennessee on March 31, 1926. He has been a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since 1954. He was a proud Marine WWII veteran. The Marines helped to give him his tough, gritty, and determined side. The Church brought out his warm, gentle, and giving nature.

He was also a pioneer on the Peninsula for the Boys Scouts of America, who honored him with the Silver Beaver distinction, given to those at a local Council level for exceptional volunteer service to scouting. He achieved his 2nd “Dan” Blackbelt in Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-do, a love he passed on to his grandchildren. Additionally, he was active in the ham radio clubs as WA4ANY and enjoyed a lifelong appreciation for music, especially country and bluegrass. Since his youth, Bill was a cowboy at heart.
 

 
Bill Reece
 
 
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William Andrew Reece, Sr. and Annie Mae Vestal, his first wife Annie Ruth Bedsaul Reece, a brother Bernie Reece, two sisters, Jessie Lawson and Ann Dunn, son Garland Dale Reece and grandson Jonathan Horace.  Survivors include his wife, Carrie A. Reece (“CareBear”); son, William D. Reece (Vicki) of Idaho; daughters, Ruth Ann Horace (Harry) of Florida and Mary Kathleen “Kathy” Burke of Hampton; stepchildren, Hugh B. Ryan, Jr., Gaylon A. Ryan, Kathy Sweeley, Michael Ryan, Carrie Jayne Powell, John Gibbs Ryan (Sarah),  and Lori Ann. McKay.  Bill is also survived by a brother, Jack Reece (Mae) and sisters, Margaret Nichols and Alice Cutchins (Bill); 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  Bill and Carrie combined have 30 grandchildren and 29 great-children, and a host of nieces and nephews, and special friends, such as Vernon and Shirley Cartwright, Virginia Rollins, and Charlie Burke. 

The family will receive friends at W.J. Smith funeral home, 210 Harpersville Rd in Newport News on November 20, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m and on November 21, 2009 at the LDS church at 1510 Todds Lane in Hampton from 12p.m. to 12:45p.m.  Funeral services will follow at 1p.m., concluding with the burial at Peninsula Memorial Park with full Military Honors.
 

From the Daily Press - 11/19/09:

 

    
 

 William A. Reece, Jr.

    HAMPTON - William Andrew Reece Jr., 83, was called home on Monday evening, Nov. 16, 2009, at his residence.

Bill was born in Bristol, Tenn., on March 21, 1926. Bill was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1954, a WWII Marine Veteran, a pioneer on the Peninsula for the Boys Scouts of America, and honored with the Silver Beaver distinction. Additionally, he was active in the ham radio clubs as WA4ANY and enjoyed a lifelong appreciation for music, especially country and bluegrass. Since his youth, Bill was a cowboy at heart.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Andrew Reece Sr., Annie Mae Vestal; his first wife, Annie Ruth Bedsaul Reece; a brother, Bernie Reece; two sisters, Jessie Lawson and Ann Dunne; son, Garland Dale Reece; and grandson, Jonathan Horace.

 
Bill Reece
 
 
Survivors include his wife, Carrie "CareBear" A. Reece; son, William D. Reece (Vicki) of Idaho; daughters, Ruth Ann Horace (Harry) of Florida and Mary Kathleen "Kathy" Burke of Hampton; stepchildren, Hugh B. Ryan Jr., Gaylon A. Ryan, Kathy Sweeley, Michael Ryan, Carrie Jayne Powell, John Gibbs Ryan, and Lori Ann McKay; brother, Jack Reece (Mae); and sisters, Margaret Nichols and Alice Cutchins (Bill); the family of Annie Ruth Bedsaul; a host of nieces and nephews; and many special friends, especially, Vernon and Shirley Cartwright, Virginia Rollins and Charlie Burke; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Bill and Carrie combined have 30 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at W.J. Smith Funeral Home, 210 Harpersville Road, Newport News, Va., on Friday, Nov. 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1510 Todds Lane, Hampton, Va., on Saturday, Nov. 21, from noon until 12:45 p.m. prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial with military honors will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at W.J. Smith Funeral Home, 210 Harpersville Road, Newport News, Va., on Friday, Nov. 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1510 Todds Lane, Hampton, Va., on Saturday, Nov. 21, from noon until 12:45 p.m. prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial with military honors will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.

Please leave condolences at www.wjsmithandson.com . Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in Daily Press from November 19 to November 20, 2009.


November 19, 2009
 
To the best Uncle and brother in law ever. We will miss you so much. The world is a sadder place without you in it. Love you always, Diana Smoot and Iva Jensen
 
~ Diana Smoot, Newport News, Virginia
Contact Me
 

November 19, 2009

To all the Reece family,
We were so sorry to hear of Bill's illness and his passing. He was such a sweet person, just like all his brothers and sisters. My most vivid memories of him are at the family reunions at Newport News Park, where he worked so hard to make it the success that it was. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the future. May God comfort you during this difficult time.

Wayne and Cindy Dunn
(son of Ann Dunn)

~ Cindy Dunn, Gloucester, Virginia
Contact Me


November 19, 2009

I have such great memories of Bill. When we first moved to the area he quickly became one of my favorite people at Church. I will miss his beautiful smile and warm hugs. He was a true gentleman and always generous with whatever he had. What a shining example to all of us.

~ Gary and Jackie Benoit, Newport News, Virginia


 


 

 Our sincerest sympathies are extended to the Reece family and their friends at this difficult time.


  From Jay Styles ('68) of VA - 11/18/09 - "Reece Family":

Carol,
Could you pass on my condolences to the Reece family on the passing of their father. I remember Bill ('68 - of ID),
Ruthie (Horace - '67 - of FL), Garland ('70) and Kathy (Burke - Warwick HS - '72); they were an outstanding family.  He is resting in peace.

Jay Styles, '68

   AMEN to all that.Thanks, Jay.


  Y'all take good care of each other!  TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!

                          Love to all, Carol

==============================================

NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com

PERSONAL WEB SITE: http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat

==============================================

Carol Buckley Harty
618-530-9092


Love at Home

Words and Music by John Hugh McNaughton
(1829 - 1891 or 1901)
 

 There is beauty all around,
When there’s love at home;
There is joy in every sound,
When there’s love at home;
Peace and plenty here abide,
Smiling sweet on every side,
Time doth softly, sweetly glide,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Time doth softly, sweetly glide,
When there’s love at home.

In the cottage there is joy,
When there’s love at home;
Hate and envy ne’er annoy,
When there’s love at home;
Roses bloom beneath our feet,
All the earth’s a garden sweet,
Making life a bliss complete,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Making life a bliss complete,
When there’s love at home.

Kindly heaven smiles above,
When there’s love at home;
All the world is filled with love,
When there’s love at home;
Sweeter sings the brooklet by,
Brighter beams the azure sky;
Oh, there’s One who smiles on high
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Time doth softly, sweetly glide,
When there’s love at home.


"Love at Home" midi courtesy of http://www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=8678 - 11/16/09

"Love at Home" (adapted) lyrics courtesy of http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Love_at_Home/ - 11/18/09

Greg Olsen Paintings courtesy of http://gregolsengallery.com – 01/27/05

Animated USMC Flag clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/Patriotic.html - 06/18/03

Blackwork Flowers Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/12/04

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