Bill was born on January 12th, 1933 in St. Joseph, MO to Milton Carroll Reed and Edna Zirkle Reed. He was the second of five children.
Bill enlisted into the United States Air Force on March 2, 1950 at the age of 17. He was the first recruit to have a perfect score on the IQ test for the entrance exam for the Air Force. Bill served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on March 1st, 1954.
Bill married the love of his life, Patsy Milner, on August 10th, 1951. After Bill’s time in the military, he began a career with Texas Pacific Railroad where he worked in Ft. Worth, Texas, Big Spring, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana. In the mid 60’s Bill went to work for IBM as a Customer Engineer working on large mainframe computers where he received numerous awards and commendations. When given the opportunity, Bill moved his family back to Big Spring where they spent many memorable years before being transferred to Austin where he finished his career with IBM.
In retirement, Bill and Patsy moved to San Angelo where they have spent the last 17 years frequently stating this is the best place they have ever lived.
His greatest achievement was learning God’s word is truth, at the age of 25, becoming a Christian and then leading his wife and raising his children to be faithful Christians. He remained a faithful Christian all of his life. He was a talented and dedicated song leader in the Lord’s church every place they lived. He also taught song leading at the Southwest School of Biblical Studies in Austin, TX for many years.
Bill loved to play the guitar and sing songs to his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Memories of him singing the “Boll Weevil” song, “Folsom Prison Blues” and many others will be cherished for years to come. He could yodel like Jimmie Rodgers or sing Eddie Arnold, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves and Hank Snow songs to perfection. He also loved to hunt, fish and tinker with his computers.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Thomas Reed and his sisters, Mary Jo Clark, Sally Clark, and Alice Hahn.
Bill is survived by his wife of 72 years, Patsy, his children and their spouses, Deborah Carol (Glen) Braswell, Donna (Rick) Jenkins, and Dennis (Ginger) Reed. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bryan (Gina) Braswell, Christi (Shane) Drewry, Matthew Carroll (Carol Anne) Braswell, Heather Brown, Bridget Carol (Les) McDonald, Crystal (Lance) Modawell, William Shane (Mandi) Reed, Walter Paden (Reagan) Reed; 15 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild as well as numerous nieces, nephews and three step-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons: Bryan Braswell, Matthew Carroll Braswell, William Shane Reed, Walter Paden Reed, Jadon Braswell, Tyler Reed Braswell, Luke Modawell, Colton Reed McDonald and Walter Finn Reed (Honorary).
A visitation will be held from 1 pm – 2 pm, Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Johnson’s Funeral Home with the funeral service to begin at 2 pm in Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Mike Bonner officiating.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff for all their kindness and care at Shannon, the Allison House and Hospice of San Angelo.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to World Video Bible School, 25 Lantana Lane, Maxwell, TX 78656-4231, or Gospel Broadcasting Network, 8900 Germantown Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654.
