Bill Reece

Billy Louis "Bill" Reece, 70, of Murray, Kentucky, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 24, 1944, in Jackson, to Howard and Velma Jauch Reece. He and Marilyn Cobb were married Nov. 21, 1970, in Cape Girardeau. She passed away in December 2014.

Bill was a member of the 101st Airborne during the Vietnam War.

He and Marilyn owned and operated Reece Lumber Co. in Jackson several years. He was also a heavy-equipment operator much of his life and in recent years had worked at Floyd's Equipment in Sikeston, Missouri.

Bill loved fishing, but the real joy of his life was his grandchildren. He was a member of Murray FBC.

Survivors include two sons, Jason (Karen) Reece of Jackson and Josh Reece of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Howard (Saundra) Reece of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Evelyn (Gerald) Eaker of Jackson; and four grandsons, Robert Reece of Jackson, Bronwyn, Daegan Reece and Piper Reece of Dallas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marilyn; a brother, Jerry Reece; and a sister, Betty, and her husband Ivan McClain.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.