William R. Reese

William R. Reese

Kahului, HI / West Brookfield – William R. Reese formerly of West Brookfield, died on September 1, 2016 at Hale Makua, Kahului, Hawaii.

He leaves his son, William J. Reese and his wife Lola of Shrewsbury; two daughters, Barbara Reese Lauback and her husband Scott of Savannah, Georgia, and Carol Reese Kennedy and her husband Robert of Wailuku, Hawaii; his brother, Arthur Reese of Chattanooga, TN; five grandchildren, Sean and Stephen Reese, Tyler and Brady Lauback, and Kristin Kennedy Rashid; and 3 great-grandchildren, William Reese, Everly Rashid, and Cameron Reese.  He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Anna Mae (Stiffler) Reese in 2010.  He was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, son of the late William J. Reese and Bermuda (MacGregor) Reese and lived in West Brookfield for over 35 years, before moving to Hawaii in 2010.

Bill was a machinist for most of his working career, and later served as a Sales Representative for Brookfield Machine Inc. before retiring in 1988.  During his retirement, Bill and his wife became accomplished Nantucket Basket makers and taught classes in their home for decades. 

Mr. Reese was a United States Army veteran, serving in Europe during WWII as an aircraft maintenance mechanic.

Friends and family are welcomed to a graveside service for the burial of the conjoined ashes of Bill and Anne Reese on Friday, October 7, 2016 at 1: 00 PM at Pine Grove Cemetery in West Brookfield, MA. The service will be followed by a reception at the First Congregational Church, 36 North Main St., West Brookfield.  Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., West Brookfield is assisting his family with arrangements.