Bill Reeves, a longtime resident of Longview, Washington, died with his family by his side on Feb. 28, 2017. He was 92.
One of 11 children, Reeves was born Feb. 20, 1925 in Burningtown, N.C. to Charlie and Texie (Roper) Reeves. He served two terms in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theatre from August, 1943 to December, 1945 and February, 1947 to September, 1948. He was married to Leah Williamson on Aug. 3, 1946 and the couple had two children, Steve and Linda. Following his discharge, he moved to Washington state to log with his brothers. After a divorce from Leah, Reeves married Carol Cutright on June 5, 1953. They had two children, Janie and Donald. In addition to logging, Bill worked at Weyerhaeuser Paper Company, Sterling Pontiac and for the Washington State Department of Transportation. He retired in 1976 after a work-related traffic accident. Reeves loved being outdoors hunting, fishing and horseback riding; raising livestock and growing a garden; or just taking a long drive in the mountains. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and always wished for more time with them. He loved his Savior and Lord and if you spent much time around him at all he would want to talk about your relationship with God. He helped start three churches in the Longview/Kelso area and spent many years singing in the choir and working with youth at Robert Gray Baptist Church. In his retirement years, you could often find him sitting in his recliner reading his Bible.
Reeves was preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers James, Ralph, Lee, Henry and Jack; sisters Beulah and Alice; his daughter Linda; and his grandson Stevie. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol (Cutright) Reeves; three sisters, Rebecca, Delia and Leila; his two sons, Steve Reeves (Debbie) of Franklin, N.C. and Don Reeves (Carol) of Corvallis, OR; daughter Janie (Reeves) Ray (Harlan) of Spokane, WA; seven grandchildren, Michelle, Steven, Ginny, Richard, Kathy, Jonathan, Caty; 14 great-grandchildren, Jamece, Anniece, Brooke, Bethany, Kylie, Cole, Brittany, Brodie, Braden, Sydney, Austin, Travis, and Harmony; five great-great-grandchildren, Felicity, Ethan, Emily, Jaden, and Caleb; and a host of friends.
A funeral to celebrate Reeves’ life is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at Robert Gray Baptist Church in Longview. Viewing will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 10 at the Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park. Obituary published as a courtesy of Macon Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com.