1926
William
2017
William Reese
April 12, 1926 — March 15, 2017
William "Bill" Reese, 90, of Wyndmere, ND, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Eventide in Fargo, ND. The funeral will be at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge, MN, on Monday, March 20, at 11:00 AM, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Mark Gronseth will be officiating. The interment will be at Elk Creek Cemetery in Wyndmere.
William Henry Reese was born on April 12, 1926, in rural Richland County, the only son born to William and Alta (Collinson) Reese. He graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1944. Following high school, Bill proudly served in the US Navy during WWII, on the Flagships USS Ocelet and USS Holland with the EA Commander Service Squadron 10. Subsequent to his honorable discharge from the military, Bill returned to Wyndmere, where he worked for local farmers. On September 14, 1947, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Doris Wilson. They resided in Wyndmere and together they raised four children. From 1946-1974, Bill logged over one million accident-free miles as a truck driver for Farmer's Grain and Fuel Elevator in Wyndmere. From 1966-1976, in addition to truck driving, he also worked for the Wyndmere Water Department. Then, for the next 20 years, Bill was a Maintenance Engineer for the Wyndmere Public Schools. He retired in 1994-but only from formal employment, not to a rocking chair.
Bill had an aptitude for small engines but predominantly focused on lawn mower repair. He was frequently called on by his neighbors and friends for small repairs, snow removal, house sitting, and lawn mowing; all of which he was grateful to lend a hand at. He also was caretaker of the Homestead Cemetery. Every autumn, Bill looked forward to deer hunting and the comradery of the experience. He made daily trips to Anderson's Café and it was there that he cultivated friendships and honed his story-telling. Laughter was always on the menu. Bill had a marvelous sense of humor and a clever wit but the twinkle in his eye was reserved for his sweetheart, Doris. Bill and Doris loved to make homemade donuts together, go to the grandchildren's activities, and no family gathering would be complete without their homemade ice cream. Doris entered her eternal glory on October 5, 2015, and at last, her and Bill are together again.
The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at Eventide on 32nd Avenue in Fargo for their attentive care towards Bill during his short stay with them. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials for Elk Creek Cemetery.
Bill will be missed by his children, Cindy (Steve) Strege of Fargo, ND, Bill Reese, Jr. of Wyndmere, and Debbie (Marty) Boyer of Wahpeton; his daughter-in-law, Diane Reese of West Fargo, ND; his seven grandchildren, Marty (Marnee) Strege, Michelle (Glenn) Suedel, Jake (Angie) Reese, Josh Reese, Jesse Reese, Tina (Dustin) Stredwick, and Lisa (Mike) Butkiewicz; his six great-grandchildren, Emma, Violet, Jaden, Taylor, Ryder, and Lacsey; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William and Alta;his wife, Doris; his son, Dave; his three sisters, Ardella Foertsch, Edna Miller, and Waunetta Westhoff; and his half-brother, Vincent Collinson.
William Henry Reese was born on April 12, 1926, in rural Richland County, the only son born to William and Alta (Collinson) Reese. He graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1944. Following high school, Bill proudly served in the US Navy during WWII, on the Flagships USS Ocelet and USS Holland with the EA Commander Service Squadron 10. Subsequent to his honorable discharge from the military, Bill returned to Wyndmere, where he worked for local farmers. On September 14, 1947, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Doris Wilson. They resided in Wyndmere and together they raised four children. From 1946-1974, Bill logged over one million accident-free miles as a truck driver for Farmer's Grain and Fuel Elevator in Wyndmere. From 1966-1976, in addition to truck driving, he also worked for the Wyndmere Water Department. Then, for the next 20 years, Bill was a Maintenance Engineer for the Wyndmere Public Schools. He retired in 1994-but only from formal employment, not to a rocking chair.
Bill had an aptitude for small engines but predominantly focused on lawn mower repair. He was frequently called on by his neighbors and friends for small repairs, snow removal, house sitting, and lawn mowing; all of which he was grateful to lend a hand at. He also was caretaker of the Homestead Cemetery. Every autumn, Bill looked forward to deer hunting and the comradery of the experience. He made daily trips to Anderson's Café and it was there that he cultivated friendships and honed his story-telling. Laughter was always on the menu. Bill had a marvelous sense of humor and a clever wit but the twinkle in his eye was reserved for his sweetheart, Doris. Bill and Doris loved to make homemade donuts together, go to the grandchildren's activities, and no family gathering would be complete without their homemade ice cream. Doris entered her eternal glory on October 5, 2015, and at last, her and Bill are together again.
The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at Eventide on 32nd Avenue in Fargo for their attentive care towards Bill during his short stay with them. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials for Elk Creek Cemetery.
Bill will be missed by his children, Cindy (Steve) Strege of Fargo, ND, Bill Reese, Jr. of Wyndmere, and Debbie (Marty) Boyer of Wahpeton; his daughter-in-law, Diane Reese of West Fargo, ND; his seven grandchildren, Marty (Marnee) Strege, Michelle (Glenn) Suedel, Jake (Angie) Reese, Josh Reese, Jesse Reese, Tina (Dustin) Stredwick, and Lisa (Mike) Butkiewicz; his six great-grandchildren, Emma, Violet, Jaden, Taylor, Ryder, and Lacsey; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William and Alta;his wife, Doris; his son, Dave; his three sisters, Ardella Foertsch, Edna Miller, and Waunetta Westhoff; and his half-brother, Vincent Collinson.
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