Rev. William T. "Preacher Bill" Reese III

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - Entered into rest on March 7, 2011, Rev. William T. Reese, III, affectionately known as "Preacher Bill", husband of Mrs. Fannie Walden Reese for 56 years, of 295 Montgomery Place, North Augusta. "Preacher Bill" was born in Wrens, GA to the late W. T. and Macy Avrett Reese. He loved to hunt, fish, garden and to share his produce with his church family and friends. He was an accomplished musician, playing the piano, organ, banjo, harmonica and a few more instruments. He loved reading and studying history. Preacher Bill traveled to Poland, Russia, Israel and most of the fifty U.S. States preaching God's Word. Pastoring for 56 years, Preacher Bill served at Hollow Creek Baptist Church for two years then Piney Heights Baptist which later became Lakeside Baptist Church, where he retired in 2008 having served there for 54 years. In the 1960's, he could be heard preaching on WGUS Radio and on Ch. 12 WRDW in the 70's and 80's as the "Ministries of Piney Heights Baptist Church". Preacher Bill was instrumental in publishing and distributing Bibles in Russia and Portugal, planting churches in India and beginning the Twin Lakes Youth Camp. Surviving with his wife, Mrs. Fannie Walden Reese, are three daughters, Sharon Reese Willis, North Augusta, SC, Susan Reese Burgess (Tony), North Augusta, SC and Faith Reese Smith (Daniel), Beech Island, SC; a brother, Toby Reese (Mary), and a sister, Darlyn Greene (Tom), all of Augusta, GA; seven grandchildren: Jill Carlton (Chris), Emily Crider (Neal), Jarrett Willis, Tara Frank, Tip Frank, Brittany Atkinson (Kyle) and Cierra Smith and one great granddaughter, Ella Carlton. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 o'clock a.m. at Lakeside Baptist Church with Reverends Tad Marshall, Greg Burrell, Lavon Lowe and Larry Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Preacher Bill's Home Place. Pallbearers will be Tony Burgess, Daniel Smith, Jarrett Willis, Tip Frank, Kyle Atkinson, Chris Carlton, Neal Crider, Jack Barrett, Glenn Gentry and Steve Berendsen. Please go to HatcherFuneral Home.com to leave a message of condolence for the Reese Family. Friends may call at the residence of Susan and Tony Burgess, 215 Montgomery Place, North Augusta, SC or on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Lakeside Baptist Church, 4319 Jefferson Davis Highway, Clearwater, SC. Hatcher Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Langley, SC is assisting the family.