William E. Reese, 66, passed away on February 2, 2010, at Faxton-St. Luke’s Health Care.
He was born in Washington, D.C., on June 19, 1943, the son of the late William I. And Mary Toper Reese, and was a 1962 graduate of Ilion High School.
Bill proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy and on July 15, 1967, was united in marriage with Betty Jane Yager in the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion.
Prior to his retirement in 2004, Bill was employed at Special Metals in the rolling mill for 28 years.
His memberships included the Knights of Columbus Council 518 in Ilion, New Hartford American Legion Post 1376 and N.Y. Mills V.F.W. Post 7393, and he was a faithful parishioner of the Church of the Annunciation in Clark Mills.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Betty; his sister, Patricia Ann McGowan, of VA; his father-in-law, Harold L. Yager, of Paris Station; his nieces and nephews, whom he considered his children, John J. Tucker, Kelly A. Torrey, Christopher W. Tucker, Harold L. Kitchen, Kim Curtis, Barbara Jasinski, Beth Peck, Cheryl Kinsey, Carolyn Yates and Arnold Kelley; his in-laws, Evelyn and Robert Newby, of Westmoreland, Francis Kitchen, of Clinton, and Lynn and Arnold Kelley, of Silver Springs, FL; his aunts and uncles, Frank and Marguerite Toper, Rosalie Toper, Mickey Toper, and a special aunt, Ruth Lewis, of Sauquoit; several cousins, with special mention of his cousin, Debbie Shannon; and 16 great-nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Betty Champ Yager, and his aunts and uncles, Douglas Reese, Estelle and Edward Shannon, Benjamin and Stella Toper, and Walter Toper.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 8, at 8:45 from the Smith Funeral Home, 3022 Oneida St., Sauquoit, and at 10:00 at the Church of the Annunciation in Clark Mills. Interment with military honors will be in Crown Hill Memorial Park. Calling hours will be Sunday from 1-4 at funeral home.
In Bill’s memory, please consider donations to the Rising Stars Soccer Club of CNY, Inc., Rt. 233, Westmoreland, NY 13490. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
To view Bill’s online memorial please go to www.smith-funeralhome.com.
WESTMORELAND, N.Y. —
