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William Reese Obituary
He was born in Wilkes-Barre, son of the late Daniel and Mary Challis Reese. He was a graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School in 1970, King's College in 1974, and the New England Institute of Mortuary Science.
Bill was employed by Kaman Bearing in Pittston from 1978 until 1983, when he became the owner and operator of the William A. Reese Funeral Chapel in Plymouth.
Mr. Reese was a member of the Plymouth Kiwanis Club for more than 25 years, having served as treasurer and chairman of their Halloween parade every year. He was a member of the former Plymouth Masonic Lodge 332, serving as worshipful master in 1991.
Bill also held membership in the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors' Association, and currently sat on the Board of the Luzerne County Funeral Directors' Association. He was committee chairman of Cub Scouts Pack 456 and Boy Scouts Troop 456, Plymouth, for many years. He was also a moderator for the Carolina Skiff Owners' Blog, and a longtime member of the Shawnee Mixed Bowling League.
He was a member of the First Welsh Baptist Church in Plymouth, where he was a trustee and head of the deacon board, and served as treasurer and custodian of the church for many years.
Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel Reese, in 2008.
He is survived by his wife, the former Jan Castner; sons, Jeremy and his wife, Meghan Reese, Houston, Texas; Adam and his wife, Terry Reese, Severn, Md.; and Noah Reese, Katy, Texas; granddaughter, Madeline Elizabeth Reese; his favorite nephew, Kyle Castner, Wilkes-Barre; father-in-law, Wesley Castner, Plymouth; brother-in-law, Daniel Castner; niece, Jennifer Podsadlik, Kingston; and several cousins.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from William A. Reese Funeral Chapel, Rear 56 Gaylord Ave., Plymouth, with his pastor, the Rev. Anita J. Ambrose and the Rev. Edward Gospodinsky officiating.
Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Medical Oncology Associates Prescription Assistance Fund, 382 Pierce St., Kingston, PA 18704, or to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.
The Luzerne County Funeral Directors' Association will meet at 6 p.m., and a Masonic service will be held at 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Reese
Nancy Flynn
May 15, 2015
So very sorry to learn this news a few weeks back. Bill was a neighbor and a family friend and now he is gone too young, too soon. Condolences to his family.
Reverend Father Tom Basta
May 4, 2015
I knew Bill from second grade at Central School. we played basketball with Bobby Davenport in the parking lot. Bill always delivered a calendar for me and left it at my parents house on East Shawnee Ave.I will miss you dear friend. May Christnwelcome you home into His Heavenly Kingdom.I look forward to seeing you again dear friend. In Christ love Father Tom Basta
Andrew Davenport
May 3, 2015
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Bill Reese. He was a great friend of my parents, Harry and Ellen Davenport, and Ellen Davenport sends her condolences to the Reese Family.
May 2, 2015
jack & vera Roberts
we were away, but he was in our prayers, and now ew continue for his family fellow past master and dear friend. god bless
April 30, 2015
Bill was a great man. Always had a smile and a kind word...full of compassion and warmth. Our most sincere sympathy to the family. Jessica Ohl Evans and family
Chuck Scoggins
April 30, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. RIP Willie with fair winds and following seas.
CSO member
JERRY MATLOWSKI
April 30, 2015
BILL WAS TRULY A MAN THAT WAS DEDICATED
TO HIS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. I WILL MISS
OUR ANUUAL MEETINGS. GOD BLESS.
Joe & Jean Brozena
April 30, 2015
Jan, Mr.Castner, and family,
We are so sorry to learn about the passing of Bill. Bill was a kind man with a spirited and joyful personality. I will always be grateful for his caring of my parents over the years. May God Bless Bill and his family.
April 30, 2015
The Plymouth Public Library staff would like to express our sincere sympathy to the family of Bill Reese. Bill was a wonderful man with a kind heart and gentle spirit. He will be missed by the entire Plymouth Community.
Suzanne Youngblood
Library Director- Plymouth Public Library
LORETTA Bolesta
April 30, 2015
So sorry to have lost the wonderful, kind person that was Bill Reese. He will be missed. Our love and prayers go out to Jan, Noah and all the family.
Loretta and Ken Bolesta.
April 30, 2015
So sorry for you loss. Willie was a great friend. I will always remember the time picking him up on my boat over at dog beach. The waves were crashing as he boarded,yet we had a great day catching flounder! You will be sorely missed pal, but never forgotten ....
Your friend, Harry Cottrill
April 30, 2015
Jan, Jeremy, Adam and Noah ... Thinking of you all and praying that strength and comfort will be yours in this most difficult of times. While Bill's physical presence is no more, memories will be available forever in the hearts and minds of all who love, and who have been loved by, a fine human being and an exceptional soul ... husband, father, friend.
--Cousin and Uncle David
Hector Reyes
April 30, 2015
You will always be remembered by all Skiff Owners...Calm winds & Smooth Seas our friend...RIP
Jayson Merren
April 30, 2015
So sorry for your loss. What a great man that I had the honor to meet through our mutual pashion of fishing and boating.
My prayers to the family and I know he is up there in that golden DLV looking down on you all!
your friend in Texas.
megan Roccograndi
April 29, 2015
Good bye Uncle Billy, you were the best Santa Clause ever. I will miss the twinkle in your eyes.
April 29, 2015
My deepest sympathy for this great loss to your family.
Jane Brady-Chupka
April 29, 2015
So very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was so very kind to our family while handling the arrangements for our loss in December. He was truly a very good man.
James and JoAnn Polifko
April 29, 2015
Our deepest sympathies to the family. We have bowled with Bill for many years and will miss him greatly. We will always have very fond memories of him.
Susan Williams-DeSandre
April 29, 2015
My thoughts and prayers to his wife and children at this most difficult time. "Billy"as my aunts called him, took care of the funerals in my family. Always the utmost care was taken. My aunts Betty Williams and Virginia Langan, who are now gone, spoke so highly of him. They always said he was a good, decent man. May he rest in peace.
April 29, 2015
So Sorry for your loss.
April 29, 2015
RIP Mr Reese. Thank you for all you have done.
April 29, 2015
Jan
So sorry to hear about Bill's passing ... my thoughts & prayers go out to you & your family
Debbie (Burk) Tomko
Forty Fort PA
Kristina Kowalski
April 29, 2015
I'm so sorry Adam and Terry and the entire Reese family. I'll keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom Jones
April 29, 2015
Dear Jan and family,
Sincere condolences. We have all lost a good man Jan, a loving husband; Jeremy, Adam & Noah an amazing father. I feel badly that I won't be able to make it up to the funeral as tomorrow I have reservations on the auto train to Florida. I will be with you in spirit and my thoughts will be with you. Steve sends his sympathies also.
Meredith Haney
April 29, 2015
Jan and family I am so very sorry for your loss he will be missed greatly. He was a wonderful man.
Jim & Shirley Thomas
April 29, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys at this time. Bill was a good friend and brother for many years we will all miss him. You have many memories to fall back on and may the Lord give each of you the strength to carry you all thru. May he rest in peace he was a dedicated gentleman
Gary&Ruthanne Dickinson (Donnelly)
April 29, 2015
Jan and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. God be with you.
Nancy & Gary Walters
April 29, 2015
Jan,
I am so sorry for your loss.
You and your family are in our prayers.
Sandra Mihoch Kase
April 29, 2015
Jan, I am so very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this most difficult time.
Marion Edwards
April 29, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with family and friends. May the peace of God and the God of peace be with you all now and in the days to come.
Jeff & Dale Charles
April 29, 2015
Jan and Family... Please accept our condolences on Bill's passing.. We will all miss him.. Rest in Peace Old Friend..
Chrissy Stroud
April 29, 2015
Jan,
Praying for you all. I am so sorry to hear the news.
April 29, 2015
On behalf of the Russell Davis family ~ We are very saddened by Bill's passing please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Carlee Atherholt Wolff, Bills cousin on his fathers side of family. I have many Harvey's Lake memories with Bill and his parents.
Denise Wildoner Strickland
April 28, 2015
My condolences to your entire family. But especially to dear little Madeline. She and Bill meant so much to each other. May The Lord bless you and keep you; May The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; May The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.
Arlene Muchler
April 28, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at your time of loss. May your memories bring you comfort and healing in the days ahead.
Kimberly Morgan
April 28, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
May your memories bring you comfort.
Kimberly McHenry
April 28, 2015
Jan, so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Kimberly McHenry
April 28, 2015
Jan, so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
LINDSEY STEWART
April 28, 2015
We are so very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time.
Lindsey Stewart, Richard , Ed, Scott Davis
Wayne Thomas
April 28, 2015
We offer sincere condolences to the entire Reese-Castner families. Although I am away, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The funerals of ALL of my family members (great grandparents, grandparents, parents, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins) and countless friends and acquaintances were conducted over the years at the Reese/Davis funeral chapel. I have many sad but fond memories spent with Bill and his staff. He was always kind, thoughtful, and professional. On behalf of all the Thomas family, thank you Bill for your services and a job well done. You were and will always be a true Shawnee Icon. GOD BLESS!
Wayne and Marie Thomas
Mariann Owens
April 28, 2015
God bless your family, my prayers and thoughts will be with you all.
Barry Kurkowski
April 28, 2015
Condolences to the Reese family and relatives. Bill was a super guy who will be missed. Plymouth lost a fine citizen.
ELIZABETH DUTKO
April 28, 2015
MAY HIS MEOMORY ETERNAL!
Pat Giordano
April 28, 2015
Jan, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.
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