William S. Reed

Reed, William S. William S. (Bill) Reed, age 90, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away at Porter Hills Retirement Community on Thursday, October 30, 2014. He was born on June 14, 1924 in Hancock, MI, the third child born to Russell S. Reed and Aurore Bovin Reed. He graduated from Allegan, MI High School in 1942. Bill was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in early 1943 and was assigned to the 20th as a radio operator on B-29's flying out of Guam. He and his crew successfully flew 27 missions over Japan without a mishap. He was called back into service for a short stay during the Korean War in 1951. Bill married Hilda Helen Miller 70 years ago in Monahans, Texas. After being discharged from the Air Force in September of 1945 he enrolled at the University of Michigan and graduated in August of 1948 with a BBA Degree, with a major in Accounting. After graduation he went to work for the Burroughs Corporation in Detroit in their sales department. He worked for Burroughs until 1957 at which time he moved to Grand Rapids to start his own business in the office equipment field. At one time he owned and operated three companies: Commercial Equipment Company, The W.S. Reed Company, and Reed Office Systems. In 1991 he sold his interest in the businesses to his three sons-Michael, Russell and Thomas who continued to operate them until they sold the firm in 2002 to Global Imaging Systems which is now Michigan Office Solutions. Bill served for several years as President and Trustee of the Caledonia School Board and as Chairman of the Caledonia Township Planning Commission. He was a long time member of the Peninsular Club, the Caledonia Lions Club, Cascade Hills Country Club and Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota, FL. He was an avid golfer and traveled extensively to play golf in many parts of the United States and other countries, but his favorite part of the game was betting. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Hilda; son, Michael (Judy), daughter, Peggy Reed, son Russell (Karen), son, Thomas (Dawn); grandchildren, Dave, Stacey, Jason, Nicole, Shad, Samantha, Meredith, Andrew and Jessica; great-grandchildren, Emmy, Jami, Larsen and Tessa. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Eric Reed, his sister, Mary Belle Hubbard and by his brother, John. The family will receive friends at the chapel of Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church with Rev. Leonard Sudlick presiding. Interment Graceland Memorial Park. Memorials in honor of Bill may be made to Hope Network- Fox Meadows, 6986 Fox Meadows Dr., Rockford, MI 49341. The family is being served by