Hampton, VA
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 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.
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 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.
