William T. Reese Sr.

SEAFORD - William T. Reese Sr. of Seaford passed away suddenly on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007.

Mr. Reese was born on Dec. 16, 1926, in Plymouth, Pa., to William J. and Frances M. Reese.

He graduated from Plymouth High School and served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II.

Following the war, Mr. Reese enrolled in King"s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, graduating with a degree in chemistry in 1952.

He accepted a position with the DuPont Co. in Seaford that same year.

While in college he married his sweetheart, Ruth Mahon, of Avondale Hill, Pa., on Thanksgiving Day in 1949.

For nearly 54 years of marriage he always called her "my Ruthie."

Mr. Reese had retired from the DuPont Co. in 1986 after 34 years of service as a research chemist at the Seaford plant.

He held several patents through the company and was active with them as a consultant for several years after his retirement.

Mr. Reese was actively involved in the Seaford community in many ways.

Along with several others, he helped to start a men"s basketball league and a basketball league for kids - the "Little NBA."

Mr. Reese played in the men"s league and coached in both.

He also coached Little League baseball for a number of years. He was an avid golfer and was a longtime member of the Seaford Golf and Country Club.

He was also a longtime Seaford Blue Jays fan and went many years without missing a football or basketball game at the high school.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Mr. Reese was a Baltimore Colts season-ticket holder.

He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and was active in their service organization, the Knights of Columbus.

Over the years he held many official positions in the organization and was "Knight of the Year" in 1969-70.

Mr. Reese was an extremely generous man and regularly supported his church, many charities, and many people who were in need of help.

He was also very generous to his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and all of his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruthie in 2003; and his brother, Bob in 1998.

Mr. Reese is survived by his son, Bill Jr. and his wife, Marcia of Newark; daughter, Peggy, also of Newark; son, Bobby of Seaford; son, David and his wife, Julie of Plantation, Fla.; former daughter-in-law, Janice Reese of Seaford; grandchildren, Kari Reese of Philadelphia, Derek Reese and Zachary Reese of Plantation, Scot Lloyd of Seaford; and great-grandchild, Zach Kennedy of Seaford.

A visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in Cranston Funeral Home, 300 Shipley Street, Seaford.

A Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 532 Stein Highway, Seaford.

Burial will follow in the Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Blades.

Instead of flowers, the family recommends contributions to the Diabetes Association and Our Lady of Lourdes Church.