Billy Leon Reeder

Our beloved father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Billy L. Reeder, passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Salt Lake City, after a courageous but short battle with pneumonia. Billy was born to Golden Flatt Reeder and Fontella Bingham Reeder on August 14, 1923 in Smithfield, Utah. At the time of his death he was 87 and strong. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of which he had a testimony of the Savior.
He married Dorothy Alice Bernsten on September 19, 1947 in the Logan, Utah LDS temple. From this union came three children, Dorothy Susan, Wendy lee, and Michael Paul Reeder. Billy served in any way possible. He served his family in his younger years and when he was old enough, he enlisted in the military. He served with his four brothers, Paul, Jack, Martin and LeGrande in WWII, all but Paul returned home. Later when the Korean War began the four remaining brothers served their country diligently. He had a great love for his country and community. He gave in many unselfish ways, either through his gardening, cooking or by his generous contributions made anonymously every year through his Christmas boxes where nothing went unnoticed and a need was never over looked.
Billy enjoyed the time he spent with his friends whom he recently had made and reunited with at Pioneer Valley Lodge. He will be sorely missed by all who came in contact with him and will miss the many hats he adorned, which brought a smile and a laugh from all. He never passed up the opportunity to wink at a cute girl, many of them being at Lee's Marketplace in Smithfield. Where his banana run was always something he looked forward to.
Billy was an avid reader and he could be caught reading 2 or 3 books at a time. He could quote a scripture from the "Good Book" his favorite being the 23rd Psalm. This brought him much peace and strength throughout his life and especially these last few months.
We will miss his raisin filled cookies, his bottled peaches, his fresh baking powder biscuits on Christmas morning and so many others. He always had a listening ear but was quick to offer advice through his many words of wisdom. One of them being from William Shakespeare, "to thine own self be true." He truly lived by those words in all he did and in his final days he was quick to share that he was good with himself. His love for his family was proudly displayed on his "Wall of Fame".
Billy left his earthly home to greet his loved ones who preceded him in death, his parents, his wife Dorothy, whom he has been apart for 20 years. His brothers, Paul P. Reeder, Jack Reeder. His sisters, Lois Reese, Golda McCombs and in-laws, Richard Pitcher, Keith McCombs, and Patricia Reeder. He is survived by his brothers, LeGrand Leah Dawn Reeder, Martin LaFaye Reeder, and sister Donna Lou Pitcher, his children Dorothy Susan Scott Tarbet, Wendy Lee Lennis Sanders, and Michael Paul Reeder. He has 11 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, whom he was always willing to offer a kiss and a signature hug, generally followed with an old tune that would brighten their day.
We wish to express our gratitude to the staff at the VA Hospital for their kindness, care and compassion that was offered during this difficult time. At Billy's request his body was donated to the Gift of Life foundation. The family will have a gathering to celebrate his life and invite all who wish to attend to join the on Friday November 5, 2010 at Nelson Funeral Home, located at 162 East 400 North, Logan, Ut. at 4:00 p.m. Chad Downs will be conducting this service for the family. Services will be under the direction of Nelson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City.