William L. "Roach" REEL Sr.

REEL, William Leander Sr. "Roach," born in Petersburg, W.Va. on April 15, 1949, left us on November 14, 2012 to be with our Lord. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Reel; parents-in-law, Chief Curtis L. Warhorse and Gertrude Elizabeth "Minnie-Ha-Ha" Custalow; brother, Johnny; brother-in-law Marvin I. Custalow Sr.; and son, William L. "Warhorse" Reel Jr. I know there was a large receiving of his spirit when he went home. Billy is survived by his wife of 45 years, Veronica "Roni" Custalow; daughter, Victoria (aka Tori) Elizabeth Prince (Alvin); sister, Mary Jones (Walter),three grandchildren, Casey (Jason), Tracey (Shaun) and Gabrielle, three great-grandchildren, Nevaeh, Isaac and Maddox. He also considered my siblings, Curtis, Marvin, Michael and Denise as his brothers and sisters. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 16, 2012 and Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at B. W. White Funeral Home on Rte. 30. Services will be held Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Mattaponi Indian Baptist Church. A celebration of Billy's life will be held at the Tribal Center. In accordance to the wishes of Billy, casual attire is appropriate. The Reel, Custalow and Jones families would like to thank the King William Rescue Squad, Hanover Sheriffs Department, and the entire staff of Regional Memorial Hospital for all they did. Also, to all friends and extended family who kept us lifted up in prayer, may GOD bless us all. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Mattaponi Indian Baptist Church, c/o Kenneth Custalow, 1538 Mattaponi Reservation Circle West Point, Va. 23181. He worked for Ralston Purina for 30 years before the plant closed. He was proud of being there and sorry to see so many go when it closed. He then went to Hohner and immediately blended with all there.

Billy had a great personality that just enveloped anyone around him. He was a huntsman, a vanner, a Harley bike man and definitely a NASCAR fan. Anyone besides #3 and #88 just weren't drivers. His race buddies were our son first, and upon his passing, our youngest granddaughter slipped in and was her Papa's NASCAR buddy. She gave up homecomings and proms to go to the race with her Papa. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge, Eagles and the Free Bird Vanners. With such an extended family of friends that stretched from Canada to California. Roach (as he was called) a man of many nicknames, was loved by all his friends and family and we will surely miss him.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.