Willie Reese Obituary
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Willie Reese "Bim", as he was called, was born on Monday, October 21, 1929, in Wrightsville, Georgia, to Horace Hodges and Pearl Reese. To this union four brothers, Horace Hodges Jr, John Willie Hodges, Willie James Hodges and C. J. Reese, and two sisters, Edis Hodges and Lillian Hodges, were born.
Willie started out his education attending Dock Kemp School before having to later work in the fields which resulted in him receiving tutoring.
Willie "Bim" met and married Julia Pearl; to this union, four daughters were born.
He later relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and started singing with a group called "The Smiling Jubilaires" around 1950 where they recorded several albums.
He later met and married his second wife, Florine Cooper; to this union, four sons were born.
Willie "Bim" worked with several jobs to include a janitor at a school, two roofing companies, and later worked at Bonded Rental Agency as a successful repairman for 51 years until he retired.
Willie "Bim" later moved to Lakeland, Florida, when his health started to fail him. Willie became a member at Judah Temple, and later started to attend Trinity Primitive Baptist Church.
Willie "Bim" was known for his singing and was loved by his church family.
Mr. Reese passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida. His parents, daughter, and all his brothers and sisters, and two daughters, Autry Reese Dennis, and Annie Vera Reese, preceded him in death.
Willie "Bim" leaves to cherish daughters, Janice Reese Howard, Pearl (James) Reese Whaley; sons, Willie (Tammy) Reese, Jr., Lawrence (Myrtho) Reese, Christopher (Sheila) Reese, Calvin (Shannon) Reese; eleven grandsons, six granddaughters and a host of great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Please post your condolences at ServicesbyDudley.com.
Services by Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin
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