Willis Lane Reese

Willis Lane Reese, 79, passed away May 20, 2019, while a resident at the Isle of Watercrest in Mansfield, Texas. The Memorial Service was Friday, May 24, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Marlin, Texas, with Jeff Watkins officiating. The family received friends from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, May 24, also at the First Baptist Church. Willis Lane Reese was born on June 13, 1939, in Rosebud, Texas. He was the son of Willis R. Reese and Lily E. (Moseley) Reese. After graduating from Rosebud High School, Willis attended Baylor University. He was in the grocery business for forty years. He then began a career as the Administrator of Falls Community Hospital and Clinic from 1996 to 2017. Willis served his church, First Baptist in many ways — as a member, a Deacon and served on various committees. Willis received several awards including the recipient of the Parrish / Goddard award in 1991 and then again in 2002, Chamber of Commerce Retailer of the Year in 1991, Sam Walton Business Leader in 1996, Citizen of the Year in 1997, Chamber of Commerce President’s Award in 2000 and Chamber of Commerce Business Professional in 2002. Willis also served on the Board of Directors for Affiliated Food Stores, President of the Marlin Chamber of Commerce, Member of Marlin City Council, President of the Marlin Rotary Club, President of the Marlin Civic Center, Director of Texas Retail Grocers Association of Austin, President of the Heart of Texas Retail Grocery Association, and served on the Legislative Committee with the Texas Association of the Workforce Board. He loved his wife of 39 years, Joyce Elizabeth (Griffin) Reese. Willis was so proud of his family. He was loved by so many because he loved and cared for many, whether it was his Kash-Way grocery employees and customers, Falls Community Hospital- Clinic employees and patients, fellow church members, Marlin residents, friends and family. Mr. Reese was preceded in death by his father, Willis R. Reese; step-father, William S. Sammon; mother, Lily E. (Moseley) Reese-Sammon; sister, Dorothy Halunka and husband, Louie; and nephew, Nick Halunka; and great-nephew, David Wayne Halunka. , Survivors include his wife, Joyce Reese of Mansfield; his daughter Kimberly McKinney and husband Rick of Mansfield: grandsons, Brad McKinney and wife Courtney of Arlington and Sterling McKinney of Dallas; sister, Carol Ann (Reese) Meredith and husband Dwane of Katy; brothers, Tommy Sammon of Marlin, and Williard Sammon and wife Linda of Marlin; niece, Lois (Halunka) Kirkland of Rosebud and other loved family members. Donations can be made to the First Baptist Church or a charity of your choice. Burial was in Powers Chapel in Rosebud.