Billy Dan (Bill) Reed, 85, died Friday, March 31, 2017, at Sanctuary Hospice House after a brief illness. He was born August 29, 1931, in the Auburn Community of Lee County to Cecil and Grace Holland Turner Reed. He completed high school at Shannon Consolidated High School and attended Itawamba Junior College. In 1951, he joined the United States Navy serving four years, 25 months of that were in Japan and Korean waters. The rest of his time was spent in San Diego, CA. He married the love of his life, Evon Collins in 1954 and they made their home in California for 13 months. After his tour was up, they made their home in Okolona. Bill worked for Rockwell International for 13 years then went to work for Rosehill where he was a co-owner and plant manager. After his retirement, he raised quail and opened a quail hunting preserve. He was a member of the East Okolona Water Assn. for 15 years and a member of the Okolona School Board for 11 years. He was a member of Okolona First United Methodist Church and the Okolona Lions Club when it was active in Okolona. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed raising quail and training bird dogs. He was a square and round dancer. His most enjoyment was quail hunting with his grandsons.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 AM Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Lee Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Frank Davis and Rev. H. B. Miller officiating. His grandsons, Lance Corporal Austin Reed and Lance Corporal Aubrey Reed will present Military Honors. Private burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6 – 8 Wednesday. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Evon Collins Reed of Okolona; three daughters, Kathie Thomason (Dennis) of Ooltewah, TN, Linda Boudreaux (Buddy) of Jeanerette, LA and Pattie Grossman (Tom) of Itta Bena; one son Dan Reed of Okolona; eleven grandchildren, Charlie Thomason (Mandy), Adam Thomason (Lauren), Abby Shipley (Corey), Bonnie Boudreaux, Reed Boudreaux (Liesl), Sandra Grossman, Joe Grossman (Erica), Laura Grossman, John Austin Reed (Tiffany), William Aubrey Reed and Meagan Reed; eight great-grandchildren, Reese, Isaac, Clara, Samantha, Emma, Avi, Jett and Annabeth; three sisters, Shirley Gillentine, Norma Jones (Dub) and Coy Williams; one brother, Paul Reed; three sisters-in-law, Varnell Reed, Eloine Reed and Jo Ann Reed; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ray, Rex, John Turner and Arthur Roy; one sister, Dorothy.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Okolona First United Methodist Church PO Box 436 Okolona, MS 38860
