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Peninsula Funeral Home & Crematory

11144 Warwick Boulevard

Newport News, Virginia

William Reese Obituary

NEWPORT NEWS - William Vail Reese, 70, passed away, as a result of an automobile accident, on Monday, April 1, 2002. A lifelong resident of Newport News, he was the son of the late Thomas William Reese and Sarah James Reese. His brother and sister, James Reese and Frances Gsell, preceded him in death. Mr. Reese was a tugboat captain and owner of Eastern Carriers. He attended St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. He was past chairman of the Peninsula Ports Authority, a member of the James River Country Club, Hampton Yacht Club and the Propeller Club of the Port of Norfolk. He was also an avid sailor, having won the Hampton One Design National Championship. Survivors include his wife, Louise G. Reese; daughter, Birgit Kingsbury and her husband, Randy, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; granddaughter, Sophia Kingsbury; four sisters, Alice Reese Thomas of Suffolk, Mable Mullen and Roxie Riddle, both of Newport News, and Marion Norman of Anoka, Minn.; and two brothers, the Rev. Robert Reese of Atlantic and Thomas Reese of Hampton. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, at Peninsula Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Peninsula Funeral Home by the Revs. Robert Reese and Marlowe Iverson. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the International Seamen's Friend House of the Lower Virginia Peninsula, 2901 Huntington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press from Apr. 3 to Apr. 4, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for William Reese

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5 Entries

Allan Hoffman

April 4, 2002

Mrs. Reese and Birgit: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family was always such a great support during the River Rat years at JRCC. Although it was so long ago your voices and especially the support and encouragement of your dad ring out so vividly. He was a great man and such an asset to the shipping and business industry of Newport News. The love and prayers of my family are with you in this time, it was only two years ago you were so supportive at the loss of my mother. Birgit great to hear you are in Mt. Pleasant! I have many friends there that are building a new church Seacoast Church! My love and prayers to you Mrs. Reese your heart for others always shines through!

K Lucchesi

April 4, 2002

Birgit & Mrs. Reese,



I am so sorry for your loss. The world was lucky to have such a wonderful man and father and he will be greatly missed.

tom& dot pierce

April 3, 2002

from mr & mrs to pierce

I,am sorry about uncle billy

Evelyn Carter

April 3, 2002

I enjoyed a wonderful dinner hosted by Billy and his wife Louise. We had dinner with him, Louise, Alice, Doug and Cindy (my daughter) and John Sansone. He was such a gracious and gregarious person - I feel honored to have spent time with him and his family. My love and symphaty goes out to Billy's family.

John & Cindy Sansone

April 3, 2002

We send our love and condolences to the family. We will miss him and his sweet, loving personality. He was an inspiration to our family. Love John & Cindy

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Funeral services provided by:

Peninsula Funeral Home & Crematory

11144 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23601

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