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Colonel William Douglas Reese, USAF Retired, 82, passed away on September 7th, 2016 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Nancy E. Reese nee Hahn. They shared 59 years together. Born in San Luis Obispo, California, he was the son of William and Edna Reese, although his step-father Jim Lake and step-mother Mary Dell were part of his parental circle with whom he was very close. He graduated with honors from San Jose State University, where he was cadet commander of the AFROTC program and president of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. Bill loved to fly, and a career in the U.S. Air Force was a natural path for him, spending 30 years as an officer in the Air Force. He served as a fighter pilot, instructor pilot, staff officer, squadron commander, deputy commander for maintenance, and commander for AFROTC. He flew 155 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom in Southeast Asia from 1967-68. During his service he was awarded the Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, thirteen Air Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals and an Air Force Commendation Medal. He was a member of the aviators' fraternal Order of the Daedalians, Stinson's Flight, and, as they say, has "flown west." After retiring from the Air Force in 1988, he spent 13 years at USAA as a manager and director in both Fleet Management and Records Management. He was a devoted Catholic, serving the various parishes he attended throughout his life in the roles of usher, parish fund council chairman, eucharistic minister, parish council president and various other volunteer roles. At the time of his death, he attended St. John Neumann Catholic Church in San Antonio. He was a board member of the Friends of Padua, and chaired their June Jamboree. He was a Knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. His legacy will live on through the influence he had in many young lives; as a father, grandfather, parent teachers club president of St. Monica's Catholic School, CCD teacher in Germany and Texas, PTA Scholarship Chairman and Booster Club President of Randolph High School, commander of AFROTC at Southwest Texas State and at UTSA, and as a Docent for the Institute of Texan Cultures. In particular, he was a mentor/tutor at Lanier High School, Cooper Middle School and Royal Ridge Elementary School, where he always took on the toughest students so he could help them understand that there was a right way and a wrong way to go through life. He is survived by his wife Nancy; his twin brother Tom Reese; his children and their spouses Brian Reese Debi, Kathy Joyce Gene, Susan McFarland Jeff, Shirley Jefferies Trevor, Paul Reese Monica; and his grandchildren Christopher McFarland and wife Victoria, Kristian Reese, Travis McFarland, Alex Jefferies 1LT, USA, Joshua Reese, Nicholas Jefferies, Ian Jefferies, Louden Reese; and dogs Trudy and Phoebe. The Vigil Service and viewing will be held on September 14th from 6:00pm until 9:00pm at Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge, 3401 Cherry Ridge, San Antonio. The Funeral Service Mass will be held on September 15th at 11:30am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Road, San Antonio. The committal service will follow at 1:30pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers may be made to Padua Place, 100 Peter Baque, San Antonio, Texas 78209, or to Air Warrior Courage Foundation, P.O. Box 877, Silver Spring, Maryland 20918.

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Col. William Douglas Reese, USAF Retired

February 25, 1934 - September 7, 2016