Obituary for Jesse Herman Reed
Jesse Herman "Bill" Reed was born to B.O. and Maude Hall reed on January 26, 1908 at Berwin, Ok. His father operated cotton gins in several towns in the area. He moved to Altus in 1920 where he owned and operated 4 gins. Bill worked for his father until 1937 when his parents moved to Tulare, CA.
After the family Bill worked for the Ford company in the automotive repair department. In later years he was employed as foreman for the Altus city garage. He also owned and operated Reed-Vinyard Auto Repair for several years.
On October 27, 1929 he married Juanita Kirkwood in Altus. They had one son, Bill Kirk Reed.
Bill is survived by his wife, Juanita, of Altus, his son Bill Kirk and wife, Doann, of Norman OK. a grand daughter, Kathy Reed, Guthrie, OK. a grandson, Kirk Reed, Norman OK, a brother, Chester and wife, Norma of Fair Oaks, CA, and a sister-in-law, Elsie Reed, Bakersfield, CA, also several nieces, nephew, cousins, 2 sisters-in-law and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Charles Reed and Roy Reed.
Bill's hobbies were hunting and fishing which he enjoyed immensely. But Bill loved his work about as much as his hobbies. Whatever he did was done well, whether ginning or auto repair. He had almost a genius for anything mechanical. He built to scale an operational oil drilling rig of solid brass. In his late 80's Bill built a miniature, operational cotton gin from memory. Many of the parts, he made himself. Bill spent many happy hours working on this. He told a friend that when he was at work on the gin it was as if God was there working with him side by side. Sometimes there would be snags that he couldn't seem to work out and in the night god would give the answer. The gins is a marvel of ingenuity. It has been written up in several publications and is on display at the Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus.
Bill Reed was truly a unique person. He need no obituary. His life is a testimony to the man he was. Honest, dependable, he has been aptly described as the :Rock of Gilbraltar:. Another man said of him, "A man couldn't have a better friend than Bill Reed"
Perhaps one of Bill's most beautiful contributions was his unselfish love and consideration for others. Never a person to be critical, he was a kind and gentle man of high moral standards. He deeply loved his friends and family, especially his wife of over 74 years and his dearest friend. In recent years he expressed to her again and again his enduring love and appreciation.
Bill loved his God and his church. Through the years until illness took its toll, he and Juanita were faithful in attendance. He wasted to serve, but avoided the limelight. In his Sunday School Class he served quietly as secretary for many years. In the worship service he served as usher. He liked that job, he could be helpful while remaining in the background.
After becoming homebound Bill watched the services on T.V. each time wishing he could be there. He never quite adjusted to not being to continue in God's service.
Bill Reed had a servant spirit. His joy was in serving God and his fellow man. Perhaps early Thursday morning when he departed this life, he was greeted by his Lord with the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy salvation."
Services for Bill Reed are scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2003 , at 2:00pm at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Keith Wiginton and Dr. Jeff Moore officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Memorials in honor of Bill Reed may be made to the Baptist Children Home.
05/19/2003
2:00 PM
Funeral
First Baptist Church
Altus
OK
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After the family Bill worked for the Ford company in the automotive repair department. In later years he was employed as foreman for the Altus city garage. He also owned and operated Reed-Vinyard Auto Repair for several years.
On October 27, 1929 he married Juanita Kirkwood in Altus. They had one son, Bill Kirk Reed.
Bill is survived by his wife, Juanita, of Altus, his son Bill Kirk and wife, Doann, of Norman OK. a grand daughter, Kathy Reed, Guthrie, OK. a grandson, Kirk Reed, Norman OK, a brother, Chester and wife, Norma of Fair Oaks, CA, and a sister-in-law, Elsie Reed, Bakersfield, CA, also several nieces, nephew, cousins, 2 sisters-in-law and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Charles Reed and Roy Reed.
Bill's hobbies were hunting and fishing which he enjoyed immensely. But Bill loved his work about as much as his hobbies. Whatever he did was done well, whether ginning or auto repair. He had almost a genius for anything mechanical. He built to scale an operational oil drilling rig of solid brass. In his late 80's Bill built a miniature, operational cotton gin from memory. Many of the parts, he made himself. Bill spent many happy hours working on this. He told a friend that when he was at work on the gin it was as if God was there working with him side by side. Sometimes there would be snags that he couldn't seem to work out and in the night god would give the answer. The gins is a marvel of ingenuity. It has been written up in several publications and is on display at the Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus.
Bill Reed was truly a unique person. He need no obituary. His life is a testimony to the man he was. Honest, dependable, he has been aptly described as the :Rock of Gilbraltar:. Another man said of him, "A man couldn't have a better friend than Bill Reed"
Perhaps one of Bill's most beautiful contributions was his unselfish love and consideration for others. Never a person to be critical, he was a kind and gentle man of high moral standards. He deeply loved his friends and family, especially his wife of over 74 years and his dearest friend. In recent years he expressed to her again and again his enduring love and appreciation.
Bill loved his God and his church. Through the years until illness took its toll, he and Juanita were faithful in attendance. He wasted to serve, but avoided the limelight. In his Sunday School Class he served quietly as secretary for many years. In the worship service he served as usher. He liked that job, he could be helpful while remaining in the background.
After becoming homebound Bill watched the services on T.V. each time wishing he could be there. He never quite adjusted to not being to continue in God's service.
Bill Reed had a servant spirit. His joy was in serving God and his fellow man. Perhaps early Thursday morning when he departed this life, he was greeted by his Lord with the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy salvation."
Services for Bill Reed are scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2003 , at 2:00pm at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Keith Wiginton and Dr. Jeff Moore officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Memorials in honor of Bill Reed may be made to the Baptist Children Home.
05/19/2003
2:00 PM
Funeral
First Baptist Church
Altus
OK
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